Met officers put spit hood on 90-year-old woman and pointed taser at her

A 90-year-old woman had a spit hood put over her head and a taser pointed at her by Met officers after they were called to reports of a disturbance with her carer.

The woman was reportedly left with cuts and bruising on both wrists and one arm after officers were called to an address in Peckham on May 9 where they found the 90-year-old to be distressed.

The officers restrained her with handcuffs, put a mesh spit hood over her head which are used to restrain people from spitting or biting and trained a taser on her after it was alleged that an officer was spat at. She was then taken to hospital and was not arrested.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is independently investigating the incident.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, who is in charge of policing in Southwark, said: “There are limits to what I am able to say in relation to this incident given it is now subject to an  IOPC investigation, however, it is clear that this will have been a distressing experience for the lady involved and that the circumstances raise a number of questions that need to be answered.

“While I do not wish to pre-judge this process, officers know that they must be able to justify any use of force or restraint and we will expect that of the officers involved in this incident. 

“They also know that we expect them to show compassion and to adjust their approach in real-time according to the circumstances they are faced with.

“I am committed to transparency in relation to this incident. I am already in contact with our key partners and will keep them updated.”

One of the officers involved in the incident has been suspended and they have been banned from using a taser following an assessment by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.

Five other officers have been put on restricted duties which means they will have no contact with the public, while the incident is investigated.

The woman’s family are aware of the incident and police are in contact with them. A family member will view body worn video of the incident.

A spokesman from the IOPC said: “We can confirm we are investigating the force used by officers after they detained a 90-year-old woman in Peckham earlier this month. 

“On May 17 the force made a voluntarily conduct referral to us and we began an independent investigation, which is at an early stage. 

“We have also received a public complaint concerning the level of force that was used and the injuries it is alleged the woman sustained.”

(Picture: The Met)