A police watchdog is investigating an incident where two officers handcuffed a woman in Croydon in front of her crying son after being wrongly accused of not paying her bus fare.
The incident is being investigated after the Met referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). It is alleged the woman was “racially profiled and verbally abused.”
A video clip of the incident, which occurred on Whitehorse Road on July 21 has been trending on social media, with thousands of people expressing their disgust for how the woman appeared to be treated.
The Met said the woman, who was with her young son at the time, was later released when it was confirmed she had paid for her ticket.
A spokesperson from the Met Police said the officers were working with Transport for London (TfL) inspectors when the incident happened on Friday morning.
They explained one woman left the bus after not complying with a revenue inspector’s request to check that she had paid her fare.
The Met said in a statement, that when asked to stop by police the woman tried to walk off and became “abusive”.
As a result, the force said she was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and detained, in front of her crying son.
When officers checked her ticket, they found it was valid so they released her.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “We have received a complaint referral this afternoon from the Metropolitan Police Service following an incident in Whitehorse Road, Croydon on 21 July where a woman was handcuffed. The complaint alleges the woman was racially profiled and verbally abused by an officer.
“We will now assess the referral and decide if any further action is required from us.”
The full statement from the Met Police regarding the incident is below.
“We are aware of a video circulating showing a female being handcuffed by police. Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command were conducting a joint revenue protection operation with Transport for London inspectors in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, on Friday, 21 July.
“One woman left the bus after not complying with a revenue inspector’s request to check that she had paid her fare. When asked to stop by police she attempted to walk off and became abusive. As a result, she was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and detained.
“When it was later established that the woman had paid she was de-arrested and allowed to go on her way.
“The woman was with her child and we appreciate that the video and circumstances look concerning. However, it is a snapshot of a wider incident.
“The video from this incident and the officer’s body-worn video, which was active for a longer period than the social media clip, have been reviewed.
“Our officers regularly liaise with local community groups and forums and we will be discussing the matter with them and listening to their views.”
Vauxhall Labour MP Florence Eshalomi has asked people to be “careful” sharing the video as the woman’s son was “very traumatised”.
Writing on Twitter, she said: “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.”
