Exclusive | Mayor’s office steps in after Met handcuffs Black child over ‘playfighting with friends’
City Hall calls for transparency as footage of the boy’s detention sparks widespread concern over police use of force
The Mayor of London’s office has contacted the Metropolitan Police after officers were filmed handcuffing and pinning a Black child to the ground, Black Current News can reveal. Police later confirmed that no offence had been committed.
“We are aware of the concerns raised about this video and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime is in touch with the Met to understand the full circumstances of the incident,” a spokesperson for the Mayor of London told this platform.
The spokesperson called for transparency from the Met, stressing that police powers must be used fairly and with respect so officers can be held to account.
In the clip, a visibly distressed boy can be heard repeatedly asking, “what have I done?” and “why are you arresting me?” as two officers restrain him on a pavement on the Isle of Dogs.
Police said officers intervened after seeing what appeared to be a fight and detained the child while establishing what had happened.
However, both the boy and a witness who filmed the encounter said the children had merely been playfighting.
No offence was identified and the boy was eventually released, although the Met said he and his friends were given “words of advice” about their behaviour, including running from officers when challenged.
The force has defended its officers’ response, but the footage has prompted concern over why the child was handcuffed and restrained, as well as the potential psychological impact of the encounter.
The Mayor’s spokesperson continued: “Stop and search is a key operational policing tool and has an important role to play in keeping Londoners safe and tackling violence on our streets.
“But it must be intelligence-led, carried out fairly and with respect, and all officers have body-worn video cameras so they can be held to account.
“It is absolutely vital that the Met retains the trust and confidence of all the communities it serves and that is why we welcome the Met’s Stop and Search Charter and Children Strategy.
“It is vital the Met are transparent around their decision-making so that every Londoner feels safe, protected and served.”
Black children are more likely than their white counterparts to be stopped by police and subjected to additional force during these encounters, according to a recent report by the Children’s Commissioner.
The Met told Black Current News that the boy and his friends had not committed any offence but were given “words of advice around their behaviour”, including about running from police when challenged.
Many people responding to the footage questioned why the child had been handcuffed and pinned to the ground. Others raised concerns about the possible psychological impact of the encounter.
The Met has not said whether it will review the officers’ conduct or release body-worn footage of the incident. We’ve asked the force to clarify both points.
Apsana Begum, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse, noted the “considerable attention” around this case and has also contacted police seeking further information.
“There has been considerable attention on the video of the incident and community concern, as it involved the stop and search of a Black male child that did not result in an arrest,” she told Black Current News.
“I have contacted Tower Hamlets police seeking full transparency as to what happened and why.
“Police operations to tackle antisocial behaviour which include regular targeted patrols and stop and searches, must remain conversant about the perception of stop and search measures among the Black community which is based on their lived experience of it having been disproportionately applied to them over decades.”
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