The Metropolitan Police have apologised after footage showed a Black father being forcefully detained by five officers in front of his two young children.
The incident, which took place in Stockwell, south London, last Thursday and was filmed by a member of the public, sparked widespread concern after video circulated online showing officers restraining the man.
The force have also referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
According to a witness who spoke to Black Current News, the stop followed an earlier police encounter involving the same vehicle just days before.
“I heard an officer say that the man’s car was flagged,” the witness said.
“The man then explained he had been stopped two days ago for a reason and they should speak to a sergeant. I guess, after it happening again, he was triggered.
“One officer tried to Taser him and he ran towards them, then a woman officer jumped on him, followed by the others.”
The witness said that during the incident, two children - aged around 1 and 4 years old - were left unattended in a car, feeling distressed. Bystanders stepped in to raise concerns about their welfare.
“The older child kept crying that he wanted his dad and didn’t want him to get hurt,” the witness said.
“We had to speak to him for a while and let him know he’ll be okay and so will his dad”.
Adding that the incident would likely have a lasting impact on the child, the witness said: “He’ll find police scary for sure. This will stay with him.”
In a statement issued after the matter was raised with them by Black Current News on Sunday, the Metropolitan Police apologised to the family and confirmed they are reviewing two separate traffic stops involving the same vehicle, carried out days apart in Westminster and Lambeth.
Met Police Commander Peter Stevens told this news platform: “The Met is reviewing two recent traffic stops involving the same vehicle in Westminster and Lambeth.
“We fully recognise the distress and upset these incidents have caused to those involved and we are deeply sorry. No one should have to experience this, and we regret the impact on the family.
“The first stop, on Friday, 2 January, was prompted by an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) alert indicating the vehicle might have cloned plates. Officers forced entry to the vehicle, however subsequent checks confirmed the plates were legitimate.”
Mr Stevens continued: “The vehicle was stopped again by different officers on Thursday, 8 January due to similar concerns. During this stop, an altercation occurred, and a man was arrested for assaulting an emergency worker before being released on bail.
“Both incidents are now subject to a formal review by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards and we are committed to learning from what happened.”
The Metropolitan Police also confirmed it has made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which is charged with the responsibility of investigating the most serious matters involving the police.
The footage has reignited wider concerns about the use of automated policing systems, the escalation of force during routine traffic stops involving Black people and safeguarding failures when children are present.
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