A police watchdog is to review the actions of officers after a woman was arrested for allegedly not paying a bus fare in south London.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the incident.

Video footage posted online showed the mother being held by police officers in handcuffs as her young son cries in desperation.

Passers-by on the street in Croydon, South London, watched on, with some asking officers why the woman was being arrested by police.

In response to the video, the force has defended the officers’ actions and said that the woman was thought to have not paid her bus fare. This was later proved wrong and she was allowed to walk away. 

The woman was also said to have been ‘abusive’ towards officers and tried to walk away, the force has claimed.

An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘We will be investigating the actions of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) following an incident where a woman was handcuffed in Croydon on July 21.

Footage showed the mum being handcuffed in South London

‘We understand that the woman was arrested by officers on suspicion of fare evasion and was then handcuffed.

‘We received a complaint referral from the MPS on Monday afternoon, which alleges that the woman, who is Black, was racially profiled and was also verbally abused by an officer.’

IOPC director Steve Noonan said: ‘We know that footage of the woman’s arrest has been widely shared on social media and has caused significant community concern, with questions raised about the actions of the police officers involved.

‘We have decided that an independent investigation is required to establish the full circumstances, including the actions and decisions made by the MPS officers.’

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: ‘It is clear from the video that has been shared online that this incident was distressing for the woman involved and particularly for her child.

The Met issued a full statement following the video

‘We understand why it has prompted significant public concern and we want to be transparent about our position and the role of our officers.’

Police were working with TfL ticket inspectors in Windmill Road, Croydon, Mr Twist said, only becoming involved when customers without a valid ticket refused to provide personal details for a fine to be issued.

He said: ‘The woman involved in this incident was asked to provide her ticket as she got off the bus, but did not do so.

‘She was spoken to by a TfL inspector, then by a police community support officer (PCSO) and finally by a police officer. She continued to try to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection.

‘She was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and was handcuffed. When officers were able to take her ticket from her so that the TfL inspectors could check it, they were able to confirm it was valid. She was immediately de-arrested and her handcuffs were removed.

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The incident happened at the weekend.