Police officers accused of using ‘excessive force’ when protestors blocked an immigration van in Peckham will not face misconduct or criminal sanctions.
In June last year, over 100 locals thwarted immigration officers attempting to detain a Nigerian man suspected of immigration offences on Evan Cook Close, just off Queens Road.
Many people, including local politicians, claimed footage showed officers being “heavy handed” and shoving and kicking protestors.
Peckham protestors thwart immigration van with blockade that lasted hours
The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation and has now concluded the force used was “necessary, reasonable and proportionate”.
IOPC director Steve Noonan said: “We understand the concern that was raised regarding this incident and the force that was used by some of the officers.
“We completed a thorough investigation which included reviewing a substantial amount of footage.
“In the circumstances, where the officers were attempting to manage over 100 people involved in a protest, we found they acted in line with national guidance on use of force and the force they did use was necessary, reasonable and proportionate.”
The incident began on Saturday, June 11, when Immigration Enforcement attended an address to arrest a man suspected of overstaying his visa.
Shortly before 1.30pm, police were called to the scene to a report that a group of people were obstructing the immigration officers, who had put the man in their van.
Over the following hours, what began as a small group of protestors grew to become a vast crowd of people obstructing the van’s way out of the street.
IOPC investigates police over ‘excessive force’ allegations during Peckham immigration protest
People encircled the vehicle, sat in front of it, and chanted slogans such as ‘the people united will never be defeated’.
Four hours later police released the man on bail, reportedly telling jubilant protestors “the gentleman has returned to his address”.
Footage quickly emerged of altercations between officers and protesters. Chaotic scenes showed people tumbling over and people screaming.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Camberwell and Peckham in the next general election, tweeted: “Heavy handed response by police officers to protesters in Peckham blocking an immigration raid is shocking.
“The response by @metpoliceuk to peaceful protestors sitting on the ground should not be violence. We must defend the right to protest.”
The IOPC launched its investigation on June 18, 2022, which concluded in January 2023.
The police watchdog reviewed bodycam, CCTV and mobile phone footage and interviewed witnesses and officers.
Seven officers were issued with misconduct notices – notifications for officers that their conduct is being investigated
It is the IOPC’s job to decide whether police should face misconduct hearings. In this case, it concluded: “At the end of our investigation we determined none of these seven officers, or any other officer present, behaved in a way that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or that they had committed any criminal offences.”
