Investigation concludes response reasonable despite mother’s claims of racial bias

The arrest of a 13-year-old boy by armed police after he pointed a water pistol at his sister during a neighbourhood water fight has been ruled “reasonable” by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The incident occurred on 19 July 2023, when the boy, known only as Child X, was cycling alone on Buxted Road in Dalston, London. Officers in tactical response stopped him, knocking him from his bike. Armed with submachine guns, they arrested and handcuffed him on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

The arrest followed a report from a Metropolitan Police officer who believed they saw a handgun being pointed at a female cyclist. The officer described the weapon as “blue and white” and similar to a Glock pistol. This led armed officers from both the Metropolitan and City of London Police to intervene.

After the boy was restrained, he explained that the item was a water pistol, which was confirmed by members of the public at the scene. Following a search, no real firearm was located. The boy sustained bruising and swelling from the encounter and was later hospitalised. His mother arrived shortly after the incident and confirmed his explanation.

The IOPC investigation was launched after the boy’s mother raised concerns about racial bias and the alleged “adultification” of her son during the arrest. Despite her assertions, the investigation found no evidence that race influenced the officer’s actions. While acknowledging that the arrest was traumatic for the boy and his family, the IOPC confirmed that the police acted in accordance with operational guidance and the information available at the time.

Charmaine Arbouin, IOPC regional director, stated: “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.”

Although the arrest has been criticised by the boy’s mother as a result of systemic discrimination, the investigation ultimately found that the officers acted based on their genuine concerns that the water pistol could be misinterpreted as a real firearm. The IOPC maintained that the decision to deploy armed officers in response to a report of this nature was both “appropriate” and reasonable.

While firearms experts confirmed that water pistols could resemble real weapons and have been converted to fire live ammunition in the past, the investigation closed without evidence of misconduct, and no disciplinary action has been recommended against the officers involved.

This incident remains a contentious subject, reflecting wider concerns about racial profiling and policing practices.