IPCC clears Merseyside Police over injured boy

The police watchdog has rejected a complaint that Merseyside Police used excessive force arresting a boy, 13.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said there was no evidence to back the boy's claim that a Pc broke his wrist in the arrest.

Neither could it substantiate his allegation that a group of officers attacked him in a police van.

The IPCC said police used "recognised restraint techniques" during the arrest in West Kirby in February.

The boy was arrested for an offence of disorderly behaviour when six officers arrived in a personnel carrier following a complaint that three men had "booted in a door" in Newbold Crescent.

Broken wrist

The investigation found that at no point during his detention did he complain of any injury.

He visited Arrowe Park Hospital after his release where an X-ray found he had fractured his wrist.

In a statement, the IPCC said: "The officer involved admitted some force was used but only when he claimed the boy attempted to stop the officer putting him into the police van."

IPCC commissioner Naseem Malik said: "This investigation has found no evidence to support the allegations made."

She added: "What can be proven is that the actions of the officer complied with all recognised restraint techniques and none of the other officers noted anything untoward during the incident."