Officers are scared to make arrests, says accused Pc
A POLICE officer who is standing trial after he was filmed smashing his way through a suspect’s windscreen has claimed the sharp rise in violent crime in London is down to officers being too afraid to make arrests in case they face a backlash.
Joshua Savage, 28, allegedly attacked Leon Fontana’s Ford Fiesta with a baton before cutting the glass with a lock knife on Sept 16 2016.
The incident in Camden, north London, was filmed by Mr Fontana and shared widely online at the time, provoking a public outcry. Mr Savage told Southwark Crown Court that this type of reaction – fuelled by social media – is enabling gang members to cause havoc on Britain’s streets.
“This is the problem we are seeing throughout London - police officers are more reluctant to deal with things because they are scared of what might come afterwards,” Mr Savage said.
Police mistakenly thought the driver was a potentially violent drug dealer who may have had a weapon and only a provisional licence, the court heard. Mr Savage’s actions have been described as those of “a bully in uniform”, but the officer claimed yesterday that what he did was necessary to protect himself, his colleagues and the public. “I knew I was in a police-unfriendly area, potentially with a person who could present a risk,” he said.
Mr Savage, of Wanstead, north-east London, is charged with possessing a bladed article; common assault and destroying property.
He has been placed on restricted duties by the Metropolitan Police and entered not guilty pleas in May.