WIREDGOV

Independent Office for Police Conduct investigators will be in Romford this morning to gather further evidence as part of our independent investigation into the arrest of a 17 year old last week during which an officer used his baton.

The incident happened at around 3pm on Easter Monday, 22 April, when a 14 year old and a 17 year old were stopped by plain-clothed Metropolitan Police (MPS) officers on Heath Park Road and searched. 

We understand the 14 year old was chased by an officer, while the other was handcuffed by the remaining officer. It was while handcuffed that the officer used his baton. 

Footage from a passer-by captured the part of the incident in which the officer used their baton and this was then circulated widely on social media. An emergency call was made to the MPS at the time of the incident raising concerns about the officer’s use of force. Another formal complaint was made the following day.

Our investigators will be in the Heath Park Road area conducting house-to-house enquiries, handing out leaflets and speaking to members of the public to find potential eye witnesses. They will also be identifying any CCTV cameras that may have captured what happened.

We have the details of a number of independent eye witnesses and will be speaking to them at the earliest opportunity. We have established that there is no police body-worn footage of the incident.

Interim Regional Director for London Sal Naseem yesterday said:

“Given concerns about the officer’s use of their baton, it is important that an independentinvestigation establishes what happened beyond what was captured in the video. 

“Our investigation will look at the incident from start to finish – from the moment the teenagers were stopped through to their arrests and detention.

“We have a number of independent eye witnesses already but are keen to speak to anyone else who witnessed any or all of the incident.”

If you have any information, please contact us on 0800 151 0018 or email: heathparkroad@policeconduct.gov.uk.