UK
Met Police refers itself to police watchdog after distressed woman wrongly held over fare evasionBECAUSE SHE IS BLACK
Sky News
Updated Mon, 24 July 2023
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog after a mother was filmed being restrained and handcuffed after inspectors suspected her of fare evasion.
The footage, which went viral on Twitter, shows the bus passenger being held by two officers during the incident in Croydon, south London.
Her child can be heard crying in the background while being consoled by a female officer.
As the woman's arms are being held she is heard shouting "what the hell, what are you doing, what the f*** is going on" as bystanders surrounding the scene also demanded answers from the officers.
The Met responded to the backlash in a statement from Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist published on Twitter on Monday, saying the woman did have a valid ticket and acknowledging the incident had been distressing for her and her child.
He said an initial review of the officers' actions "did not identify any conduct matters", however the force said it would "reflect" on the incident and engage in discussions with the local community in case things can be done differently in the future.
"Given the level of community concern generated we believe it is in the public interest to voluntarily refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review," he added.
Police were at the scene to support Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspectors as part of a "pre-planned operation". Mr Twist said.
He said the woman "did not" provide her ticket as she got off the bus and when spoken to by a TfL inspector, a police community support officer (PCSO) and lastly by a police officer "she continued to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection".
The statement said: "When officers were able to take her ticket from her so that the TfL inspectors could check it, they were able to confirm it was valid.
"She was immediately de-arrested and her handcuffs were removed."
The statement added: "Throughout the incident, the child was comforted by a PCSO who immediately recognised his distress. Anyone seeing how upset he was would be moved by this, and we regret any impact it may have on him.
"We recognise that the use of handcuffs can be a cause of concern, particularly given the context of this incident and the type of offence involved, but when a person is trying to physically leave an incident it is an option officers can consider. All uses of force must be proportionate and necessary in the circumstances."
It clarified that those without a valid ticket should provide their details to a TfL inspector so a penalty fare can be issued, with police only getting involved when these are not provided or when they try to leave when challenged.
Sky News
Updated Mon, 24 July 2023
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog after a mother was filmed being restrained and handcuffed after inspectors suspected her of fare evasion.
The footage, which went viral on Twitter, shows the bus passenger being held by two officers during the incident in Croydon, south London.
Her child can be heard crying in the background while being consoled by a female officer.
As the woman's arms are being held she is heard shouting "what the hell, what are you doing, what the f*** is going on" as bystanders surrounding the scene also demanded answers from the officers.
The Met responded to the backlash in a statement from Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist published on Twitter on Monday, saying the woman did have a valid ticket and acknowledging the incident had been distressing for her and her child.
He said an initial review of the officers' actions "did not identify any conduct matters", however the force said it would "reflect" on the incident and engage in discussions with the local community in case things can be done differently in the future.
"Given the level of community concern generated we believe it is in the public interest to voluntarily refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review," he added.
Police were at the scene to support Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspectors as part of a "pre-planned operation". Mr Twist said.
He said the woman "did not" provide her ticket as she got off the bus and when spoken to by a TfL inspector, a police community support officer (PCSO) and lastly by a police officer "she continued to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection".
The statement said: "When officers were able to take her ticket from her so that the TfL inspectors could check it, they were able to confirm it was valid.
"She was immediately de-arrested and her handcuffs were removed."
The statement added: "Throughout the incident, the child was comforted by a PCSO who immediately recognised his distress. Anyone seeing how upset he was would be moved by this, and we regret any impact it may have on him.
"We recognise that the use of handcuffs can be a cause of concern, particularly given the context of this incident and the type of offence involved, but when a person is trying to physically leave an incident it is an option officers can consider. All uses of force must be proportionate and necessary in the circumstances."
It clarified that those without a valid ticket should provide their details to a TfL inspector so a penalty fare can be issued, with police only getting involved when these are not provided or when they try to leave when challenged.
Croydon mum wrongly arrested for bus fare evasion in front of crying son
Poppy Huggett
Poppy Huggett
Sutton and Croydon Guardian
Mon, 24 July 2023
Arrest of mum wrongly accused of bus fare evasion to be reviewed by watchdog
Mon, 24 July 2023
Arrest of mum wrongly accused of bus fare evasion to be reviewed by watchdog
(Image: Google)
Police treatment of a mum who was wrongly arrested for bus fare evasion in front of her tearful young son is to be reviewed by a watchdog.
Video footage of the woman shouting as two male Metropolitan Police officers held her arms and handcuffed her in Croydon on Friday (July 21) provoked criticism on social media.
She was arrested after wrongly being accused of failing to pay a bus fare, with police saying she had refused to show her pass to a Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspector.
The woman was later de-arrested when it was confirmed that she had paid the fare.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “It is clear from the video that has been shared online that this incident was distressing for the woman involved and particularly for her child.
“We understand why it has prompted significant public concern and we want to be transparent about our position and the role of our officers.”
Police were working with TfL ticket inspectors in Windmill Road, Croydon, Mr Twist said, only becoming involved when customers without a valid ticket refused to provide personal details for a fine to be issued.
He said: “The woman involved in this incident was asked to provide her ticket as she got off the bus, but did not do so.
“She was spoken to by a TfL inspector, then by a police community support officer (PCSO) and finally by a police officer. She continued to try to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection.
“She was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and was handcuffed. When officers were able to take her ticket from her so that the TfL inspectors could check it, they were able to confirm it was valid. She was immediately de-arrested and her handcuffs were removed.
“Throughout the incident, the child was comforted by a PCSO who immediately recognised his distress. Anyone seeing how upset he was would be moved by this, and we regret any impact it may have on him.
“We recognise that the use of handcuffs can be a cause of concern, particularly given the context of this incident and the type of offence involved, but when a person is trying to physically leave an incident it is an option officers can consider.”
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been called in to review what happened.
Mr Twist continued: “Ticket inspection operations of this nature are difficult. They place police officers in direct confrontation with frustrated members of the public and could escalate what would otherwise be civil matters to a different level.
“This incident raises questions about the extent to which officers are having to intervene in this way when supporting TfL in their operations.
“We will now work with TfL to ensure that the balance is right between officers tackling the most serious crime on the transport network and supporting their own operations to ensure revenue protection.
“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 Independent Office for Police Conduct to review.”
Vauxhall Labour MP Florence Eshalomi said she has contacted London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the incident.
Fellow MP Claudia Webbe said: “The most disrespected person is the black woman. The most unprotected person is the black woman. The most neglected person is the black woman.
“The Met Police is the boot of the state; they do not care about black people, and black women in particular.”
MORE CROYDON NEWS
Investigation after man dies in police custody in Croydon
LBC reported that a bus worker called Joe accused the arrested woman of being abusive to staff and police.
He told breakfast show host Nick Ferrari: “The inspector told her to please show the pass and she started being abusive to the inspector.
“And when the police asked her to show the pass, she started abusing the police as well. She could have just shown the pass and walked away – and that would have been the end of the matter.”
Footage posted online shows the woman shouting “What the hell?” and “What the f*** is going on?” while handcuffed, as two male officers hold her arms.
She repeatedly asks one of the officers to let go and says “I haven’t done anything wrong”, while a member of the public films what is happening and asks why she is being arrested.
Police treatment of a mum who was wrongly arrested for bus fare evasion in front of her tearful young son is to be reviewed by a watchdog.
Video footage of the woman shouting as two male Metropolitan Police officers held her arms and handcuffed her in Croydon on Friday (July 21) provoked criticism on social media.
She was arrested after wrongly being accused of failing to pay a bus fare, with police saying she had refused to show her pass to a Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspector.
The woman was later de-arrested when it was confirmed that she had paid the fare.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “It is clear from the video that has been shared online that this incident was distressing for the woman involved and particularly for her child.
“We understand why it has prompted significant public concern and we want to be transparent about our position and the role of our officers.”
Police were working with TfL ticket inspectors in Windmill Road, Croydon, Mr Twist said, only becoming involved when customers without a valid ticket refused to provide personal details for a fine to be issued.
He said: “The woman involved in this incident was asked to provide her ticket as she got off the bus, but did not do so.
“She was spoken to by a TfL inspector, then by a police community support officer (PCSO) and finally by a police officer. She continued to try to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection.
“She was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and was handcuffed. When officers were able to take her ticket from her so that the TfL inspectors could check it, they were able to confirm it was valid. She was immediately de-arrested and her handcuffs were removed.
“Throughout the incident, the child was comforted by a PCSO who immediately recognised his distress. Anyone seeing how upset he was would be moved by this, and we regret any impact it may have on him.
“We recognise that the use of handcuffs can be a cause of concern, particularly given the context of this incident and the type of offence involved, but when a person is trying to physically leave an incident it is an option officers can consider.”
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been called in to review what happened.
Mr Twist continued: “Ticket inspection operations of this nature are difficult. They place police officers in direct confrontation with frustrated members of the public and could escalate what would otherwise be civil matters to a different level.
“This incident raises questions about the extent to which officers are having to intervene in this way when supporting TfL in their operations.
“We will now work with TfL to ensure that the balance is right between officers tackling the most serious crime on the transport network and supporting their own operations to ensure revenue protection.
“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 Independent Office for Police Conduct to review.”
Vauxhall Labour MP Florence Eshalomi said she has contacted London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the incident.
Fellow MP Claudia Webbe said: “The most disrespected person is the black woman. The most unprotected person is the black woman. The most neglected person is the black woman.
“The Met Police is the boot of the state; they do not care about black people, and black women in particular.”
MORE CROYDON NEWS
Investigation after man dies in police custody in Croydon
LBC reported that a bus worker called Joe accused the arrested woman of being abusive to staff and police.
He told breakfast show host Nick Ferrari: “The inspector told her to please show the pass and she started being abusive to the inspector.
“And when the police asked her to show the pass, she started abusing the police as well. She could have just shown the pass and walked away – and that would have been the end of the matter.”
Footage posted online shows the woman shouting “What the hell?” and “What the f*** is going on?” while handcuffed, as two male officers hold her arms.
She repeatedly asks one of the officers to let go and says “I haven’t done anything wrong”, while a member of the public films what is happening and asks why she is being arrested.
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