A man in his fifties was rushed to the intensive care unit at Whittington Hospital in Camden on Monday after a distressing incident involving police restraint.
The incident began on Euston Road, NW1, where police were called after the man reportedly acted erratically and set his clothes on fire in public. Witnesses reported that he threatened passersby before officers intervened and detained him.
Following his arrest, the man was taken to a north London medical facility. While at the hospital, he became agitated, leading police officers to use PAVA spray and restrain him. During this restraint, the man lost consciousness and was subsequently transferred to intensive care.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the Metropolitan Police Service’s handling of the incident. The patient remains in critical but stable condition.
In a statement, the IOPC said: “An independent investigation into the actions of Metropolitan Police Service officers during an incident where a man was restrained at a hospital in north London on Monday 3 April is underway. From what we understand, the man is still in critical but stable condition in the hospital.”
This inquiry comes amid growing scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police, following a recent review that criticised the force for institutional racism, sexism, and homophobia. Efforts are underway to shift police focus from handling serious crimes to improving internal standards and conduct.
Originally published by UKNIP.
