‘We must fight police powers’: Protest outside station against mum’s arrest over bus fare 

Residents, union members and activists came together last night to protest the Met’s treatment of a black mum, after a video was circulated of her arrest on social media. 

The video, filmed in Whitehorse Road, Croydon on Friday, shows the woman’s young son in tears as his mum is handcuffed by police after false claims she has not paid her bus fare.

Michael Holland, 53, from North Croydon, is a convener for anti-racism organisation Stand Up to Racism, who attended the “angry” and “vibrant” protest outside Croydon police station in Park Lane.

Mr Holland said: “There was visceral anger in the crowd. A black mum with her son on a bus gets handcuffed by the police. 

“Where were the handcuffs for the MPs who admitted taking cocaine? We must fight to prevent more police powers and we must fight together.”

The protest was organised by Black Lives Matter Croydon and Croydon Stand Up to Racism. It called for the Met to fully admit the findings of institutional racism in the Casey Report. 

Glen Hart, 52, from Thornton Heath, said: “This officer should not be on the front line.

“The only reason they’ve given a statement is because they were caught on camera. This is the attitude of the police.”

The Met said the woman involved in this incident was asked to show her paid fare as she got off the bus, but did not do so. 

When she continued to try to walk away she was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion, and handcuffed. 

She was later let go and her handcuffs were removed after officers confirm her fare was valid. The Met have referred the matter to the IOPC.

IOPC director Steve Noonan said: “We received a complaint referral from the MPS on Monday afternoon, which alleges that the woman, who is black, was racially profiled and was also verbally abused by an officer.

“We have decided that an independent investigation is required to establish the full circumstances, including the actions and decisions made by the MPS officers.”

The protest comes after a black man died in police custody in Croydon last week. This is also being investigated by the IOPC.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said in a statement: “We recognise that the use of handcuffs can be a cause of concern, particularly given the context of this incident and the type of offence involved, but when a person is trying to physically leave an incident it is an option officers can consider.

“An initial review of the officers’ actions did not identify any conduct matters but we will reflect on it carefully, in discussion with communities locally, to urgently identify any opportunities to do things differently.”

A spokesman from the Met said: “A New Met for London was launched last week in Peckham, sets out how culture change will be delivered across the Met to embed the values of policing by consent and build a strong culture focused on delivering for London, maintaining high standards and learning from others.”

Pictured top: Residents gathered outside Croydon police station last night (Picture: Michael Holland)