A mum was arrested in front of her crying son after police accused her of not paying for a bus ticket.

Video footage posted online shows 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.

Footage showed the mum being handcuffed in South London

The Met issued a full statement following the video

Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘We are aware of a video circulating showing a female being handcuffed by police.

‘Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command were conducting a joint revenue protection operation with Transport for London inspectors in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, on Friday July 21.

‘One woman left the bus after not complying with a revenue inspector’s request to check that she has paid her fare. When asked to stop by police she attempted to walk off and became abusive. As a result she was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and detained.

‘When it was later established that the woman had paid she was de-arrested and allowed to go on her way.

‘The woman was with her child and we appreciate that the video and circumstances look concerning. However, it is a snapshot of a wider incident. the video from this incident and the officers body worn video, which was active for a longer period than the social media clip, has been reviewed.

‘Our officers regularly liaise with local community groups and forums and we will be discussing the matter with them and listening to their views.’

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Footage shows the woman being arrested at a south London station.