Two enforcement officers employed by a London council have been dismissed after a viral video captured them threatening to knock out a man's teeth and deliberately turning off their body-worn cameras. The incident occurred in Harrow, northwest London, and was recorded by the individual being accosted.
Video Shows Threats and Camera Tampering
In the footage, one officer ensures both body-worn cameras are switched off. His colleague asks, 'Is it off?' and receives confirmation. The officers then threaten the cameraman, saying they will 'rip his teeth out.' The dispute is believed to be about money, though the exact cause and the identity of the person threatened remain unclear.
An employee in a red hood is heard saying, 'Come to the alleyway right now, we're going to show you what time it is. We're going to make sure you can't work no more and earn no money because you're trying to butt in with our money.' He later adds, 'I swear, when I'm not in uniform, I'm going to knock you the f*** out and rip your teeth out. If I give you one punch, I'll knock all your teeth out.'
A second worker in a black hoodie states, 'We've got people to feed,' to which the cameraman replies, 'I don't know why you're getting aggressive.' The red-hooded officer threatens to call the police, claiming, 'If I call a police officer for you, he'll f*** you up, you know, because we work with them.'
Council and Agency Respond
The workers were employed by Kingdom Services Group, an agency contracted by Harrow Council. The council's website mentions a partnership with Kingdom Local Authority Support to issue fixed penalty notices. Company literature describes the service as 'committed to helping local authorities create safer, cleaner and more welcoming communities.'
A Harrow Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of a video circulating in relation to the conduct of two enforcement officers. Swift action was taken as soon as the incident and complaint were raised to us and Kingdom in May, and the individuals involved no longer work for Kingdom. We take any instance of officers deliberately turning off body-worn cameras extremely seriously. Threats of violence towards members of the public are wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.'
A Kingdom Services Group spokesperson added: 'As soon as the incident and subsequent complaint were brought to our attention in May, swift action was taken. The individuals concerned no longer work for Kingdom Local Authority Support. We take any instance of officers deliberately disabling body-worn cameras extremely seriously, as these devices are an important safeguard for both the public and our staff. Equally, any threats of violence towards members of the public are wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.'
