The Independent Police Complaints Commission have launched an investigation into ‘racial discrimination’ claims against British Transport Police after mobile phone footage, showing BTP officers using excessive force while arresting an African man at St Pancras station, was uploaded onto Facebook last week.
During the clip officers are heard telling the unnamed man to “drop to the floor” but when he doesn’t comply they strike him several times with a baton, the individual does not appear to resist arrest during the incident.
The 40-year-old man, who was stopped by officers after he failed to pay his fare at the beginning of his journey, tries to defuse the situation by saying “I am going with you” but his pleas are ignored as the officers continue to hit him with the weapon.
Jennifer Izekor, IPCC’s Commissioner said: “We have received initial witness accounts and a copy of CCTV footage from inside St Pancras station.
“We are aware of the public interest and mobile phone footage circulating online.
“The IPCC received a referral from BTP on March 10th and due to the seriousness of the allegations the IPCC has taken the decision to conduct an independent investigation.
“Our investigation will be looking at all the circumstances around the use of force and arrest of the individual involved.”
A BTP spokesperson said that they were “aware of the video”.
They added: “Officers attended the station following reports from staff of fare evasion, and a man, aged 40 and from Thamesmead, London was subsequently arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).”
We will update this story as it develops.