Armed police who rammed a 13-year-old boy off his bike and handcuffed him after mistaking his water pistol for a real gun have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
The incident occurred on July 19 in Hackney, east London, when a police officer on patrol reported a potential firearms sighting during a water fight between the boy and his younger sibling. The water pistols, one blue and white and the other pink and white, were mistaken for genuine firearms.
Armed Response and Investigation
Responding to the report, armed officers surrounded the boy, knocked him off his bike with a police van, and handcuffed him as a precaution. An internal investigation by the Metropolitan Police and a review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded that the officers’ actions were “reasonable in the circumstances.
Watchdog Statement
Charmaine Arbouin, IOPC Regional Director, acknowledged the distress caused to the boy and his family but supported the officers’ decision:
*”Being arrested, handcuffed, and searched by armed officers would have been a frightening experience for anyone, let alone a 13-year-old.
We note the Met Police has apologised to the boy’s family for the distress caused. Police officers have a duty to protect the public from harm, and the evidence from our investigation supported the first officer’s belief that he thought he may have seen a real firearm.
The decision to send armed officers to the scene following the report of a firearm was in line with guidance, and based on the evidence, we found no indication that any officers behaved in a manner that would justify bringing disciplinary proceedings.”*
Family Reaction
The boy’s family has not yet commented publicly following the IOPC’s conclusion. The Metropolitan Police previously apologised to the family for the distress caused during the incident.
Public Response
The incident highlights the challenges faced by police in assessing potential threats and balancing public safety with the need to avoid unnecessary distress. Critics have called for better training and protocols to distinguish toy weapons from real firearms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Met has not announced any changes to its policies following the investigation but reaffirmed its commitment to public safety and maintaining trust with the communities it serves.
