A 50-year-old history teacher and mother, Vanessa Brown, says she was left “traumatised” after being arrested on suspicion of theft and held in a police cell for more than seven hours—all for confiscating her daughters’ iPads as a form of discipline.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 26 March, has sparked widespread debate over parental rights, police procedure, and proportionality. Surrey Police have now issued a full statement addressing the circumstances of Brown’s arrest, which has drawn national attention.
What Happened?
Officers were initially called to a property in Cobham following a report of a concern for safety. While attending the address, a man in his 40s—reportedly known to the family—alleged theft of two iPads, prompting police to carry out further enquiries.
Police then visited a second address, where they found Brown and questioned her about the missing devices. Despite denying knowledge of their whereabouts, a tracking device revealed the iPads were inside the home. Officers encouraged Brown to return them, but when she refused to cooperate, she was arrested.
Following her arrest, Brown was taken to Staines Police Station, where she was fingerprinted, photographed, and subjected to a risk assessment. She remained in custody for seven-and-a-half hours.
Police Statement Defends Arrest but Admits No Crime Occurred
In a statement issued by Chief Superintendent Aimee Ramm, Surrey Police said:
“Officers followed necessary procedures, including contacting South-East Coast Ambulance due to further concerns for safety. After the woman’s arrest, the iPads were located and seized under post-arrest search powers.”
Police later released Brown on conditional bail, which included restrictions on speaking to anyone connected to the case, including her daughters. These conditions were lifted the following day after enquiries confirmed that the iPads belonged to the children, and Brown was entitled to confiscate them.
The case was officially closed with no further action taken.
Vanessa Brown: “A Complete Overreaction”
Brown, speaking after her release, called the ordeal “thoroughly unprofessional” and a massive overreach.
“At no point did they think, ‘This is a parent disciplining her child,’” she said. “It was a complete overreaction. They were speaking to my mother, who’s in her 80s, like she was a criminal.”
She also expressed distress over the three-hour delay between her solicitor being notified and being allowed to consult with them.
Public Reaction and Calls for Apology
The incident has triggered significant backlash on social media and in parenting forums, with many calling for an apology from the police.
Former Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld said the arrest raised serious questions about how family disputes are handled. “This should never have escalated to an arrest,” he said. “Police resources were misused, and the mother’s rights were clearly overlooked.”
Others, however, have defended the initial police action, citing the need to act swiftly on reports of potential safeguarding concerns—especially when involving children.
Officers Also Visited School
Surrey Police confirmed that officers also visited the children’s school, but said this was linked to the original concern for safety, not to investigate or question the children about the iPads.
