Met officer faces court over ‘assault’ in fare-dodge arrest

THE METROPOLITAN POLICE has become embroiled in a social media row with the regulator after an officer was charged with assaulting a woman in a London bus fare dispute.

Pc Perry Lathwood, 49, was subject to an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a video of the woman being confronted by officers in Croydon, south London, triggered outrage.

The woman was arrested in front of her young son, who was visibly distressed, but she was later de-arrested when it was confirmed that she had in fact paid the £1.75 fare.

Pc Lathwood, attached to the Met’s Road Traffic Policing Command, has been charged with assault by beating in relation to bruising injuries alleged to have been caused to the woman’s arm during the arrest on July 21 last year.

He will appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on Feb 14.

Yesterday evening, shortly after the IOPC revealed the charging decision, the Met Police and the policing regulator became engaged in a spat on X, formerly Twitter. In a post on the Met’s X account, Chief Supt Andy Brittain, who is responsible for policing in Croydon, said: “The news that an officer has been charged with assault will undoubtedly cause a great deal of concern.

“Officers know they must be able to justify their use of force. The Met has written to the IOPC seeking urgent

‘The Met has written to the IOPC seeking urgent clarity on the reasons for the charging decision’

clarity on the reasons for the charging decision. Criminal proceedings are now active and as a result I am unable to comment further on the case.”

But only an hour later, the IOPC responded to the Met’s tweet, saying: “Hi @metpoliceuk, as you know a decision on whether to charge someone with a crime, whether a police officer or a member of the public, is taken independently by the Crown Prosecution Service.”