The police watchdog is reviewing an incident in which a woman was arrested and detained by Metropolitan police officers in Croydon after she was falsely accused of not paying her bus fare.
Video footage that circulated on social media on Saturday showed the woman being arrested and handcuffed by two male Met officers in front of her child, who was distressed and crying.
The woman is heard asking one of the officers to let go, adding: “I haven’t done anything wrong,” while a member of the public films what is happening and asks why she is being arrested.
The police said in a statement that the woman was asked to provide her ticket but failed to do so, and was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and handcuffed. The woman was later de-arrested when it was confirmed that she had paid for her ticket.
In a statement, the Met’s assistant commissioner Matt Twist confirmed that the incident, which took place on Friday, has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), saying: “An initial review of the officers’ actions did not identify any conduct matters but we will reflect on it carefully, in discussion with communities locally, to urgently identify any opportunities to do things differently.
“Given the level of community concern generated we believe it is in the public interest to voluntarily refer the matter to the IOPC to review.”
Det Ch Supt Christina Jessah said: “We know that this is a distressing video to watch, even more so as a child is seen to be visibly upset by the way in which his mother has been apprehended. We regret the upset that has been caused to the child.
“A PCSO [police community support officer] can be seen comforting the child; however, we know that this does not take away from the impact that this will have on him. We are seeking to make contact with the female in question to understand the wider circumstances.
“We are currently working with the local senior police teams and Transport for London.”
Florence Eshalomi, the Labour MP for Vauxhall, wrote on social media: “There is a distressing video circulating online with a woman handcuffed in front of her young son.
“Please be careful sharing this online to help protect this young boy who is very traumatised by the situation.
“Myself and other colleagues have raised this with the mayor of London.”
