Black Woman Arrested For Fare Evasion, Is Woman Arrested For Fare Evasion?
by Rubaditsha | Updated Jul 25, 2023
Black Woman Arrested For Fare Evasion
On Friday, July 21, a distressing incident occurred in Croydon, south London, where a Black woman was wrongfully arrested for fare evasion by two Metropolitan Police officers. Eyewitnesses reported that there were up to 14 officers present during the incident. The woman's young child was visibly distressed and sobbing as he was separated from his mother during the arrest.
The incident came to light when a video of the arrest began circulating on social media. In the video, the handcuffed woman can be seen struggling with two male officers while she shouts in protest. Her child's emotional state adds to the intensity of the situation, and another onlooker can be heard urging the woman to calm down to avoid being separated from her child.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police, the woman was detained for fare evasion during a "revenue protection operation" carried out jointly by the Roads and Transport Policing Command and Transport for London. However, it later emerged that the woman had, in fact, paid for her bus fare, making her arrest unwarranted.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the woman was arrested and subsequently de-arrested once they confirmed she had paid her fare. They acknowledged that the video on social media was only a snapshot of the broader incident and explained that they reviewed the officer's body-worn footage to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
The video sparked furious reactions on social media, with many users expressing their outrage at the perceived heavy-handed and unnecessary response from the police. There were accusations of racial bias and excessive force, which further fueled public concern.
Labour MP Florence Eshalomi raised concerns about the impact of the incident on the young child, urging caution in sharing the video to protect his emotional well-being. Other MPs and members of the public joined the calls for accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident.
Following the widespread public outcry and concerns raised, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was called in to review the circumstances surrounding the arrest. The IOPC will assess whether there was any racial profiling or verbal abuse during the incident, based on a complaint received.
As the matter gains further attention, the Metropolitan Police faces increased scrutiny over its conduct during fare enforcement operations and encounters with the public. The incident has sparked broader discussions about racial discrimination, police accountability, and the treatment of Black individuals in such situations.
Is Woman Arrested For Fare Evasion?
Yes, a woman was arrested for fare evasion on Friday, July 21, in Croydon, south London, as seen in a viral video circulating on social media. The woman, who is Black, was wrongfully detained by two Metropolitan Police officers during a joint revenue protection operation with Transport for London inspectors. Eyewitnesses reported that up to 14 officers were present during the incident.
In the video, the handcuffed woman can be seen struggling with the two male officers, and she can be heard shouting in protest while her young child is visibly distressed and sobbing as he is separated from his mother.
The Metropolitan Police initially stated that the woman was arrested for fare evasion after she failed to comply with a revenue inspector's request to check her bus fare. However, it later emerged that the woman had indeed paid for her public transport, making her arrest unjustified.
After confirming that the woman had paid her fare, the police de-arrested her and allowed her to go on her way. The video on social media only captured a brief moment of the wider incident, and the police reviewed the officer's body-worn footage for a more comprehensive understanding.
Black Woman Arrested in Front of Her Crying Son
On Friday, July 21, in Croydon, London, a distressing incident unfolded where a Black woman was arrested in front of her young son by police officers who wrongly believed she had not paid her bus fare. According to eyewitnesses, there were as many as 14 police officers present during the incident, and the child was separated from his mother during the arrest.
The police stated that the woman was approached by a revenue inspector to confirm if she had paid her bus fare. When she did not comply and became verbally abusive, the police handcuffed and arrested her on suspicion of fare evasion. However, it later emerged that the woman had indeed paid her fare, leading to her "de-arrest" and release.
The viral video of the incident shows the woman struggling with two male officers while shouting in protest. Her young child can be seen and heard crying, adding to the distressing scene. An onlooker can be heard urging the woman to calm down and warning her about the possibility of being separated from her child.
A bus worker named Joe, who witnessed the incident, revealed that fare evaders often become abusive during such inspections. He mentioned that the revenue inspector had asked the woman to show her pass, but she became abusive towards both the inspector and the police officers. He noted that she could have simply shown her pass and avoided the situation entirely.
The incident has sparked public outrage and raised questions about police conduct, racial bias, and excessive use of force during fare enforcement operations. Calls for accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident have amplified, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been called in to review the circumstances surrounding the arrest. The IOPC will investigate the complaint made against the police officers involved in the incident.
Black Woman Arrested For Fare Evasion- FAQs
On July 21 in Croydon, London, a Black woman was arrested by police officers in front of her young son because they wrongly believed she hadn't paid her bus fare. Eyewitnesses reported that up to 14 police officers were present during the incident, and the child was separated from his mother during the arrest.
The woman was arrested by the police because she was asked to confirm with a revenue inspector that she had paid her bus fare, but she did not comply and became verbally abusive. As a result, the police handcuffed and arrested her on suspicion of fare evasion. However, it later turned out that she had indeed paid her fare, leading to her "de-arrest" and release.
The viral video shows the handcuffed woman struggling with two male police officers while shouting in protest. Her young child can be seen and heard crying, which adds to the distressing scene. Another person can be heard urging the woman to calm down and warning her about the possibility of being separated from her child.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been called in to review the circumstances surrounding the arrest. The IOPC will investigate the complaint made against the police officers involved in the incident to determine if any further action is necessary.
The Metropolitan Police released a statement acknowledging the video and the concerning nature of the scene. They clarified that the video only captured a snapshot of the wider incident and that they had reviewed the officer's body-worn footage for a more comprehensive understanding. They also mentioned that their officers regularly engage with local community groups and forums and would be discussing the matter and listening to their views.