The police watchdog, the IOPC, has said its investigation is in its “final stages” a year after a Bermondsey teenager suffered serious injuries when he was reportedly pushed off his bike by a Met Police officer.
Terrell Decosta Jones-Burton was hospitalised with severe injuries after it is said he was knocked off his bike by a police officer in Southwark Park Road on November 21 2017 during a stop.
Police have said they suspected the teenager of taking part in a mobile phone bike robbery minutes previously and were attempting to detain him.
However, charges were later dropped against the teen.
The incident went viral on social media under the hashtag ‘JusticeForTerrell’ while the Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation.
One year on, an IOPC spokesperson said: “The investigation is in its final stages and our final report is almost complete.”
The watchdog said it had “collected and analysed information regarding the initial robbery, interviewed the teenager, obtained witness statements from the public, officers and paramedics and collected and viewed CCTV and body worn camera footage,” during the year-long investigation.
The incident reportedly caused the teen bruising on the brain, lost teeth and broken bones inside his gum.
A fundraiser started by a family friend raised £825 for dental work, physiotherapy and counselling. A petition started by a family friend collected nearly 35,000 signatures.
In an update in January, Shereen Jones, Terrell’s mother, said: “We continue to fight and all those who had something negative to say and showed prejudice ways of thinking I just want you to know the truth is coming out and we will win.”
The IOPC spokesperson added: “We have also analysed the training provided to officers regarding detaining someone on a bicycle.
“When the final report is complete our conclusions and the rationale will be shared with the Metropolitan Police and interested parties.
“We shall also publish our findings in due course.”