Police are under investigation after a complaint regarding the treatment of an 11-year-old disabled girl who was allegedly physically restrained by officers during a string of incidents at locations across Sussex including Horsham town centre.
IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said: “The IPCC investigation is examining the nature and circumstances of the officers’ interaction with the girl on five separate occasions in February and March 2012 to determine whether the degree of force and method of restraint used by officers was appropriate and in accordance with the law, the officers’ training and force policy and procedure.
“The investigation is also looking at the appropriateness of the decision to place the girl in police cells on four occasions and to refer her to the Crown Prosecution Service for charging on one occasion.
“These are very serious complaints about the treatment of an 11-year-old girl suffering from Smith-Megenis Syndrome and I will ensure that they are investigated thoroughly.”