Shocking video shows officers arresting woman in front of her child for ‘not paying a bus fare’ with Metropolitan Police defending the action despite establishing she had in fact paid
- Footage shows mother being held by officers as her young son hysterically cries
A shocking video shows a woman being arrested in front of her crying child after the Metropolitan Police accused her of not paying for a bus ticket.
The footage, which has been posted on social media, shows the mother being held by officers as her young son cries hysterically in desperation.
Passers-by on the street in Croydon, south London, demand to know why the woman is being handcuffed, while a female officer attempts to calm the young boy down.
In response to the video, the force defended the officers’ actions, stating that the woman was thought to have not paid her bus fare. This was later proved wrong and she was allowed to walk away.
The footage shows the mother being held by police officers as her young son hysterically cries in desperation
In response to the video, the force has defended the officers’ actions, stating that the woman was thought to have not paid her bus fare
Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘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 July 21.
‘One woman left the bus after not complying with a revenue inspector’s request to check that she has 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 officers’ body worn video, which was active for a longer period than the social media clip, has 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.’
