Police investigation after ‘get off my neck’ arrest

SCOTLAND Yard has asked the police watchdog to investigate after two officers were filmed detaining a man on the ground as he shouted “Get off my neck”.

Police were called to a fight in Isledon Road, Islington, north London, at around 6.30pm on Thursday and arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon, the force said.

The Metropolitan Police said a video showing part of the incident “looks very concerning” and have referred it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Footage posted on social media on Thursday evening shows two officers holding a handcuffed man, who is black, on the pavement in Isledon Road.

At the start of the two-minute, 20-second clip, one of the officers appears to be using his knee to control the suspect and has his hand on his head.

The struggling man on the ground can be heard shouting, “Get off me... get off my neck, I ain’t done anything wrong, get off my neck.”

One of the police officers is heard to ask him, “Are you going to behave yourself?” before telling him to “Stay down”.

He then stands up and asks onlookers who are filming the incident to “move back”, while another clip shows more police officers arriving at the scene.

The Met said its directorate of professional standards carried out an assessment and the force has referred the incident to the IOPC.

Scotland Yard said the man detained and arrested at the scene remains in police custody as inquiries continue.

A statement said: “We are aware of a video showing part of this wider incident where two officers have detained the man on the ground and appreciate this looks very concerning.

“This footage has been viewed, along with body-worn footage from the officers who attended.

“Both officers involved have also provided statements.

“The officers’ initial interaction with the man and the events that led to him being detained have also been analysed.

“Our officers carry out their duty on a daily basis across London in often difficult circumstances. Where force is used, officers must be able to justify this as lawful, proportionate and necessary.

“Our officers understand that their actions will be scrutinised and that the public have the right to hold them to account where appropriate.

“On this occasion we have decided to refer this incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I’m deeply concerned about this distressing incident and we have raised this with senior officers at the Met Police as a matter of urgency.

“I welcome the fact the incident has been reviewed quickly by the Met and it’s right that they have referred it to the IOPC.

“I look forward to a swift and thorough independent investigation .

“It’s crucial our police service continues to earn the trust of the communities it serves.”