Welfare of a vulnerable person - Metropolitan Police Service, July 2019

On 25 July 2019, officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) received a report about a man attacking someone using a hammer in St Luke’s Gardens, London. Officers detained and searched two men who matched the description given to them. A hammer was found on one of the men and he was arrested. The other man became distressed during his detention and told officers he had mental health problems and that he intended to self-harm when he got home. Officers responded by asking him why he intended to self-harm and by making several attempts to explain the reason for him being detained. Officers also explained to the man that he would be released after the search was completed.

The man also told officers he had previously been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Officers responded by attempting to calm him down when he appeared distressed and asked if he had a social worker. After officers released the man, he returned home and self-harmed. Officers attended his address after receiving a request from London Ambulance Service and found he had sustained a self-inflicted twenty-inch-long, five-centimetre-deep laceration to his arms. Medical care was given, and the man was taken to Royal London Hospital by ambulance.

The case came to the attention of the IOPC as a mandatory death or serious injury (DSI) referral. The man submitted a complaint on 16 January 2020 meaning the case continued as a complaint investigation. No conduct was identified in the course of the investigation.

The investigation sought to establish whether police made satisfactory provisions for the man’s mental health; whether interactions between police and the man were appropriate; and whether the force used on him during his detention was excessive.

Regarding the provisions made for the man’s mental health, evidence reviewed included the Police National Computer check, relevant policies and procedures, and his medical record. Regarding the interactions between police and the man, we reviewed a large amount of evidence, including body-worn video from the officers involved, statements from the officers involved, and the man’s statement. Regarding the force used on the man, evidence reviewed included additional statements from the officer who used force, and relevant use of force policies and procedures.

We concluded our investigation in July 2020. Having considered the man’s complaints, we decided they should not be upheld. During the investigation there was no indication any police officer or staff member may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence.

We shared our report with the MPS who agreed with us that no further action was required.