The police watchdog has launched an investigation after a 70-year-old allegedly sustained facial fractures during an arrest in Bromley

Errol Dixon says he was dragged to the floor, punched multiple times in the face and kneed in the back, after being stopped on Blythe Road at around 12pm on Monday, September 13, for having a broken brake light. 

His son David, 42, attended the scene soon after to find his father’s face was “smashed to pieces”.

The 70-year-old, who lives in Shortlands, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

News Shopper: Mr Dixon was released under investigation from hospitalMr Dixon was released under investigation from hospital

The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s regional director for London, Sal Naseem, said on Wednesday: “Ensuring the public have confidence in policing through independent scrutiny is a vital part of our role and therefore it is important that incidents like this are thoroughly investigated.

“While a small part of what happened has been circulating on social media we will seek to establish the full circumstances and context to determine how this man came by his injuries and whether the actions of officers were proportionate and in line with policy.”

Mr Dixon claims that he was pulled over on Blythe Road after being followed by a patrol car for around 15 seconds.

After exiting his car, he says officers asked him to move over to an area covered by trees.

Mr Dixon, a Windrush generation immigrant from Jamaica, said he did not feel safe doing so, pulling away from an officer.

At this point, he alleges that he was dragged to the floor, punched multiple times in the face and kneed in the back, before being handcuffed.

The Met claims that Mr Dixon “became involved in a struggle with an officer during which the officer sustained an injury to his eye.”

They then waited around an hour for ambulance to arrive, eventually driving the 70-year-old to hospital themselves.

Mr Dixon was released by police under investigation after receiving treatment.

The 70-year-old claims he suffered a broken nose, fractured cheek bone and fractured eye socket.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Shortly after midday on Monday September 13, officers on routine patrol in Blyth Road, Bromley, stopped a vehicle with a broken brake light.

“After exiting the vehicle, the driver became involved in a struggle with an officer during which the officer sustained an injury to his eye.

“The driver, a 70-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

“He sustained a facial injury during the struggle and was given first aid by officers before being transported to a south London hospital.

“He was later discharged from hospital before being taken to a police station from where he was released under investigation.”

IOPC investigators will examine footage including police body-worn video and CCTV, and have asked any members of the public with their own footage to email witness@policeconduct.gov.uk or call 0300 3030779.

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