Police Encounter Panel January 26: Statement & Community Update

Dear Resident,

Every quarter, an independent panel review the circumstances and police actions of randomly selected incidents and interactions. Please see the below statement and findings from the January panel. 

Statement from the NE BCU Police Encounter Panel

The NE BCU Police Encounter Panel held its first meeting of the year on Thursday 15 January at Plaistow Police Station. During the meeting, the panel viewed footage of a drink driving incident lasting approximately twenty minutes. The footage caused significant concern among panel members regarding the officers’ personal safety. Officers were subjected to extreme and challenging behaviour, including verbal aggression, biting, spitting, head-butting, and physical injury.

The panel observed the necessary and successful deployment of a spit guard and leg restraints, demonstrating the seriousness of the incident and the level of risk faced by the officers.  We were satisfied that the police use of force was justified and proportionate.

Throughout the incident, the officers demonstrated professionalism, care, and concern for the individual involved. The panel would like to commend the officers for the compassion and restraint shown during their interactions.  

The panel also received an update on current drink drive legislation to provide context for the incident viewed.

In addition, the Co-chairs updated the panel on recent engagement activities they attended.

Join Us

If you live or work in Newham or Waltham Forest and are interested in joining your local Police Encounter Panel, please contact:

📧 PolicingEncounters.NorthEast@met.police.uk

Community Co-chair

NE BCU Police Encounter Panel