Meeting planned after woman arrested when officers wrongly thought she hadn't paid her bus fare

It happened on Friday in Croydon.

The woman was arrested and later de-arrested on Friday (library image)
Author: Aileen O'SullivanPublished 24th Jul 2023

A London MP says she's been in touch with the Mayor after a video on social media appeared to show police in Croydon arresting and handcuffing a woman, in front of her child, suspected of not paying a bus fare.

The woman was later de-arrested when it was established she had paid.

In a statement - the force say they're aware of the video - and say it's a snapshot of a wider incident.

Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhaull's tweeted there's going to be a meeting about it.

In a statement a spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: "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 inspectors 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.

"it is a snapshot of a wider incident. " - Met Police

The woman was with her young child and we understand the impact this interaction will have had on them, as well as those concerned by the distressed child, seen being comforted by the PCSO in the video.

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.

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