Allegations that use of force caused head injuries - Essex Police, July 2017

On 8 May 2016 at around 3am, a man, who was believed to be intoxicated, threw a glass bottle into the car park of an Essex Police station. Officers, who were in the car park dealing with another incident, chased the man on foot. One officer used force against the man, which resulted in him briefly losing consciousness.

When the man came around, the officers arrested him on suspicion of committing criminal damage and asked paramedics to assess him. The paramedics declared the man medically fit. Once the officers determined the bottle had not caused any damage, the man was de-arrested.

On 12 May 2016, the man was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with a skull fracture.

On 31 July 2017, the man made a complaint to us alleging the police caused his head injury.

During the investigation, investigators conducted a CCTV trawl, appealed for witnesses and sought the man’s medical records. Investigators also obtained statements from the officers who had contact with the man and the paramedic who medically assessed him.

Due to the passage of time since the incident, our investigators encountered difficulties in obtaining independent evidence.

On the basis of the evidence collated during the investigation, we were of the opinion that there was insufficient evidence indicating the incident was unlawful, and we therefore did not uphold the complaint.

After reviewing our report, the force agreed with our findings. No further action was taken.