Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Stranger Than Fiction

Unbelievable! I'm working flat out on a book about vigilante cops in North London(Dark Justice, 103,000 words) and what happens? Vigalante cops are arrested in North London. Am I ahead of the game or what?


Six Metropolitan Police officers have been suspended after being accused of using a form of water torture against suspects.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the alleged ill-treatment, said to have taken place during drugs raids in Enfield, north London, last November.

Scotland Yard is refusing to comment on the nature of the allegations but sources say the officers have been accused of pushing suspects' heads into buckets of water.

The claims came to light during an internal force investigation, when a police employee raised concerns with the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) about the conduct of a handful of officers.

The DPS conducted its own investigation before referring the matter to the IPCC in April.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Whilst the investigation is ongoing it is not appropriate to make assumptions. That said, these are serious allegations that do raise real concern.

"The Met does not tolerate conduct which falls below the standards that the public and the many outstanding Met officers and staff expect.

"Any allegations of such behaviour are treated very seriously, as this case illustrates, and if found true the strongest possible action will be taken."

In February, ten officers from Enfield's crime squad were suspended and another two placed on restricted duties after an anti-corruption probe into claims over the mishandling of property.

Eight, including one detective sergeant, remain suspended and two remain on restricted duties. The six suspended over the conduct allegations are among them.

A spokeswoman for the IPCC said: "During a proactive Metropolitan Police Service Directorate of Professional Standards investigation into allegations of mishandling of property by the crime squad in Enfield Borough which is being investigated by the IPCC, the IPCC was briefed regarding the actions of police officers executing the specific warrant."

Five people were arrested during the raids on November 4.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Always ahead of times!!!Keep up the good work.On another matter,do you plan a follow up on Den Donovan from "Tango One"? Worth thinking about it.It was an excellent novel.Lots of interesting characters(Hathaway,Fullerton,The Spaniard,Jesus the Colombian etc).

Drew Beck
Miami FL

Unknown said...

Stephen

I am halfway through Hot Blood, good book, however on after page 264 there has been a printing error and you get taken back to page 233 and then the book is repeated up to 264 and then the book jumps to page 297.

Sorry to harass you with problems but can you point me at your printers I will take it up with them

Cheers Nick Hawke

Stephen Leather said...

Hi Drew - would love to revisit Den Donovan. Often thought it would be fun for Spider Shepherd to go up against him because they are similar characters!

Hi Nick - sounds like you got a rogue copy because Hodder books are usually pretty good. My Thai print runs, in contrast, are always going wrong!

Best bet is to take it back to the retailer who will replace it without any problems at all. They in turn can return it for a refund.

If for some reason you can't get it replaced by the retailer you can conact Francesca Best at Hodder and Stoughton and I'm sure she'll be able to arrange a replacement! Her email address is francesca.best at hodder dot co dot uk.