Police watchdog launches probe over arrest of black man, 70, who ‘suffered fractured eye socket’
Police watchdog launches probe over arrest of black man, 70, who ‘suffered broken nose and fractured eye socket after he was pulled over for broken brake light’
Errol Dixon, 70, was stopped in Bromley, south-east London, on September 13His daughter posted pictures on Instagram, claiming officers ‘beat up my dad’Mr Dixon was involved in ‘struggle’ during which officer sustained an eye injury He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency worker and later released
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The police watchdog has launched a probe into the arrest of a black man who allegedly suffered a broken nose and a fractured eye socket after he was pulled over for a broken brake light.
Errol Dixon, 70, was stopped at around midday on Blyth Road in Bromley, south-east London, on September 13 and is said to have been left with facial fractures after his encounter with police.
His daughter posted pictures of the injuries on Instagram, saying he had been stopped for a broken brake light and alleging the officers ‘beat up my dad’.
Mr Dixon had been involved in a ‘struggle’ during which an officer sustained an injury to his eye, said police.
He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and later released under investigation.
Following the publicity of his injuries, Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, a staff association which represents officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector, reacted with fury.
He claimed colleagues were being ‘subjected to trial by social media’ and described the allegations as ‘unsubstantiated and frankly false’.
Errol Dixon (pictured above), 70, was stopped by police at around midday in Bromley, south-east London, on September 13 and is said to have been left with facial fractures
The Met referred itself to the IOPC over the incident and said Mr Dixon (pictured in footage allegedly taken by his son) received first aid from officers before being taken to a hospital
Mr Dixon’s son, David, told local newspaper the News Shopper: ‘I saw my dad’s face smashed to pieces.’
The 42-year-old added: ‘He’s not really eating or sleeping, and just generally feeling very nervous. He came over in the Windrush generation.’
Mr Marsh, of the Met Police Federation, said: ‘Yet again colleagues in the Metropolitan Police are being subjected to trial by social media – and subsequently traditional media – based on unsubstantiated and frankly false allegations.
‘Police officers have no issue with being held accountable for their actions – we are the most accountable of public services and we look forward to the Independent Office for Police Conduct bringing this matter to a swift conclusion.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)’s regional director for London, Sal Naseem, said today: ‘Ensuring the public have confidence in policing through independent scrutiny is a vital part of our role and therefore it is important that incidents like this are thoroughly investigated.
‘While a small part of what happened has been circulating on social media we will seek to establish the full circumstances and context to determine how this man came by his injuries and whether the actions of officers were proportionate and in line with policy.’
Mr Dixon appearing to be treated for facial injuries by a police officer. He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and later released under investigation
The father’s head being bandaged by an officer at the scene. A spokesperson for the force said: ‘He sustained a facial injury during the struggle and was given first aid by officers before being transported to a south London hospital’
The Met referred itself to the IOPC over the incident and said Mr Dixon received first aid from officers before being taken to a hospital.
‘The team from the Metropolitan Police Federation have witnessed the body-worn footage of this latest incident in question. We can say we will be robustly defending the actions of these officers and are supporting them at this time.’
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘Shortly after midday on Monday, 13 September, officers on routine patrol stopped a vehicle with a broken brake light.
‘After exiting the vehicle, the driver became involved in a struggle with an officer during which the officer sustained an injury to his eye.
Mr Dixon’s facial injuries, pictured left and right. His daughter posted pictures of the injuries on Instagram, alleging the officers ‘beat up my dad’
‘The driver, a 70-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
‘He sustained a facial injury during the struggle and was given first aid by officers before being transported to a south London hospital.
‘He was later discharged from hospital before being taken to a police station from where he was released under investigation.
‘The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.’
IOPC investigators will examine footage including police body-worn video and CCTV, and have asked any members of the public with their own footage to email witness@policeconduct.gov.uk or call 0300 3030779.
