Shocking footage has emerged showing Metropolitan Police officers pepper-spraying an 11-year-old boy while he was restrained in handcuffs, prompting an immediate investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The distressing incident, which occurred on a residential street in Croydon, South London, was captured on video by a bystander. The clip shows the young child, who cannot be named due to his age, screaming in pain after being sprayed directly in the face by an officer.
According to reports, the confrontation began when police were called to a disturbance involving a group of youths. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to the child being handcuffed before the incapacitant spray was deployed.
Public and Family Outrage
The boy's family have been left horrified and distraught by the officers' actions. In the video, the child can be heard crying out in terror and agony, a sound that has sparked widespread public anger since the video surfaced online.
Many are questioning the proportionality of the response, arguing that the use of such force on a handcuffed child is never justified.
The Official Response
The Metropolitan Police have referred the incident to the IOPC, confirming that a mandatory referral was made due to the age of the child and the level of force used.
A spokesperson for the force stated that officers are faced with difficult and fast-moving situations daily, but acknowledged that all use of force must be "lawful, proportionate and necessary." The IOPC has confirmed it is now assessing the incident to determine the full circumstances.
