Muhammed Zeeshan Ali

Muhammed Zeeshan Ali, a 33-year-old man from Rotherhithe New Road in Southwark, south-east London, has been convicted of serious child grooming offences following a swift police operation by the Metropolitan Police.

The case began when Ali used social media to communicate with a 13-year-old girl, engaging in sexual conversations and arranging to meet her outside Canada Water Underground Station on 7 February 2024. Unbeknownst to Ali, the Met Police's Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation team had identified his activities through fast-time enquiries and set up an ambush at the planned meeting point.

As Ali arrived at the location, officers intercepted him. In a desperate attempt to destroy evidence, he smashed his phone on the ground while being tackled by police. He was arrested immediately and charged the following day with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child following grooming.

Ali appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on 9 February 2024, where he pleaded guilty to both charges. The court remanded him in custody, and he is scheduled to be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court at a later date. Detective Sergeant Callum Mantell from the Met's specialist team described Ali as 'a dangerous predator who was using social media to attempt to sexually abuse a child', emphasising the team's rapid response that prevented any harm and led to his conviction.

This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by the Metropolitan Police to combat online child exploitation, with the operation demonstrating effective intelligence gathering and intervention to protect vulnerable children.