Met police riot officers are being investigated over claims that they used excessive force after stopping a nine-year-old boy and two older cousins who were driving home from a classic car rally.
Two of the cousins say they suffered bruising and abrasions after being pulled over because the driver was using a mobile phone. The nine-year-old alleges he was dragged out of the vehicle roughly. He was not injured.
The cousins' Ford Sierra Cosworth was stopped at about 10pm on Tuesday, March 1 as they approached the A40 at Hanger Lane, Alperton.
Five or six officers from the Territorial Support Group ordered them out of the car. The older pair, aged 24 and 14, said that officers used excessive force while detaining them and they suffered facial and other injuries. The 24-year-old driver accepted a fixed penalty notice for using a mobile phone while driving.
The cousins made a formal complaint to the police. A source with knowledge of the investigation told the Standard: "The cousins are saying it was unprovoked." A Met spokesman said: "We received a complaint on March 2 alleging an assault by police. We informed the Independent Police Complaints Commission the same day and they are conducting an investigation."
An IPCC spokesman said: "The investigation is looking into the grounds for the stop, and the methods and level of force used during the stop."
Peter Dominiczak
8 Apr 2011
8 Apr 2011
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