Officers who unlawfully raided student flat could now be identified

Following the exclusive story by Bristol24/7 revealing that Avon & Somerset police do not know which officers unlawfully raided a student flat in June, further investigations have taken place that have led to the force whose officers stormed the flat being identified.

In the complaint form sent by Avon & Somerset to one of the students living in the flat, Thames Valley Police were identified as the sole force assisting in the operation to clear squatters from buildings in the Old City.

But the latest statement from Avon & Somerset says that 11 visiting forces from across England and Wales took part in the raid on June 4 on High Street under ‘mutual aid’ – where forces come to each other’s assistance for major operations.

Avon & Somerset police say that at the time their first report about this operation was compiled, they were unable to identify which officers went into the property unlawfully or locate any bodycam footage.

Further investigations have subsequently located a list of officers involved in the operation and the force whose officers entered the student flat without a warrant, damaging the front door in the process.

Avon & Somerset police have now asked the force – who Bristol24/7 understands is Thames Valley Police – if they have retained any bodycam footage.

In a statement sent on Wednesday afternoon, an Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said: “We fully recognise and understand the public’s concerns over openness and transparency relating to officers unlawfully entering a flat in High Street, Bristol, during the enforcement of a closure order imposed by a court.

“Ahead of the operation we identified the need for four additional Police Support Units (PSUs), as well as additional specialist roles, through mutual aid to assist us, due to the potential risks identified during the planning process.

“This request went into the regional co-ordination centre, which tries to resource the request from local forces but due to competing pressures on demand, sometimes the request is made nationally. For this operation we had mutual aid from 11 other forces in total.

“Unfortunately a digital register of officers involved in this operation was not fully completed and this is one of the learnings already identified and will be urgently addressed.

“At the time the report was compiled by our Professional Standards Department, we were unable to identify which of the mutual aid officers deployed went into the property unlawfully or locate any Body Worn Video footage of this part of the operation.

“To be as open and transparent as we possibly can be, our Head of Operations has undertaken a further comprehensive review of this operation and a paper register of officers involved in the operation as a whole has been located.

“We’ve now identified the relevant force which provided the officers who went into this property and we’ve contacted their commanding officer to ensure any existing Body Worn Video is located and retained for further review.

“We’ll be updating the complainant on the outcome of these further enquiries as soon as we can.

“We’ve already identified a number of key learnings relating to the deployment of mutual aid officers in operations and the downloading and digital labelling of Body Worn Video footage, all of which will be implemented for future operations, and we’ve apologised to the complainant for the unlawful entering of his flat, which was not acceptable and which we wholeheartedly regret.

“It’s only right the public have full and complete trust in the way officers use their powers and that when mistakes are made they are fully investigated and any learnings identified and actioned as soon as possible.”

Squatters had occupied a number of neighbouring properties on High Street in the Old City – photo: Martin Booth

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police told Bristol24/7: “We have received contact from Avon and Somerset police in relation to this matter. We are currently making enquiries. At this point we cannot make further comment.”

Prior to the new statement, the Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol) told Bristol24/7 that the operation and subsequent lack of records was “yet another startling display of incompetence” from Avon & Somerset.

A Netpol spokesperson said: “It’s not the first time that the police have ‘misplaced’ incriminating bodycam footage and police records, and this is yet another startling display of incompetence from Avon and Somerset Police.

“Earlier this year Avon and Somerset Police were forced to apologise after handcuffing a female student while she was undressed during a house raid, and for threatening a 16-year-old with tasers during a second raid.

“In both these cases, the house raids turned out to be mistaken identities. No officers faced disciplinary action.

“They may claim ‘lessons will be learned’, but this is meaningless without real accountability.

“Time and again we see the police close ranks when their officers are in the wrong, and issue misleading public statements to cover their backs.

“An apology isn’t good enough. There have to be real sanctions to tackle unlawful police behaviour.”

The student flat raided without a warrant was located above The Art Eternal – photo: Martin Booth

Avon & Somerset police & crime commissioner, Mark Shelford, told Bristol24/7 that he is “pleased” that new information about the operation has now come to light, but added he knows this incident has impacted public confidence in the force.

PCC Mark Shelford said: “Earlier this week, I spoke to the Temporary Chief Constable to understand and scrutinise the actions of this incident and I asked that Avon and Somerset Police urgently identified the officers involved.

“Since this conversation, I am pleased that a comprehensive review of the operation has happened and a list of officers involved has been located. I also am hopeful that, after contacting relevant forces, Body Worn Video will be located and reviewed.

“However, this should have taken place in the first very instance even if the necessary processes had not be completed. Quite simply, a list of officers and Body Worn Video should be accessible for all operations so, if mistakes are made, learnings can be implemented efficiently and effectively.

“I know local people expect more of their police service and this incident has impacted the community’s confidence in Avon and Somerset.

“It is a priority of mine to ensure the police service is being more open and transparent. I chair the Police and Crime Board every month, which is my opportunity to scrutinise and question in great detail what the Chief Constable and their team are doing.

“I am exploring, going forward, how we can make these meetings more transparent for local people and how I can implement better governance structures.”

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees and Bristol West MP Thangam Debonnaire were both asked for comment.

Main photo & video: Martin Booth

Read more: MP and serving officers join condemnation of unlawful police raid

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