Witness appeal following stop and search in Greenwich

We are appealing for witnesses following the stop and search of a Black boy, aged 16, in Greenwich, south-east London during which Tasers were deployed, but not activated.

The incident happened at around 10.50pm on 4 September 2020 when officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) were responding to reports of a serious incident in Armitage Road, SE10, when they stopped and searched five teenage boys.

The complainant claimed the officers did not have reasonable grounds to stop and search him, he was racially stereotyped and they abused their authority by using unnecessary force.

We launched an independent investigation into this incident in June and have so far collected officers’ body worn video and mobile phone footage which was shared on social media. We have also obtained incident logs, call recordings, radio airwaves transmissions, and relevant force policies and procedures.

IOPC Regional Director Sal Naseem said: “It’s possible that a number of bystanders may have witnessed this incident.

“It’s vitally important we establish the full circumstances leading to this stop and search so I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened to contact our investigators as soon as possible.

“We have carried out door-to-door enquiries and put up witness appeal boards in the local area.

“We would particularly like to hear from anyone who either witnessed the incident or may have footage of it.”

Please contact the IOPC by emailing [email protected]

Following receipt of the complaint into this incident, it was investigated by the MPS and concluded in December 2020.

The IOPC was asked by the complainant to review that investigation and we decided on 4 June there should be an independent investigation into the stop and search.