Crime Desk

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has concluded its investigation into the case of 18-year-old Mohammed Iqbal Safi, who died after being released from police custody in Fulham.

The investigation concluded that two Custody Sergeants breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour by failing to properly complete assessments, but even if they had been done properly, it is by no means certain they would have saved Mr Safi’s life.  

At approximately 2.35am on 30th October 2009, Mr Safi was approached by officers on Fulham High Street.  They found him at a "crime hotspot” and, when he was unable to account for his presence there, had no means of identification and gave the officers two different names, police suspected that he was an ‘overstayer.’  He was arrested and taken to Fulham Police Station at about 3am.   

Mr Safi had been in hospital the day before, where he had been treated for cuts to his hands which, it is suspected, he received while attempting to break into a building. He therefore had a bandage on his wrist.

During the booking in process, the Custody Sergeant asked Mr Safi a series of questions. Mr Safi was asked if he had received any treatment or medical advice, had ever tried to harm himself or had ever attempted suicide. The officer recorded that Mr Safi had replied "no” to all these questions.  The officer also completed the Custody Officer Assessment section, stating that Mr Safi did not appear to be injured or unwell, that there were no indications of self harm, no difficulties with communication and was not vulnerable.  

When IPCC investigators examined enhanced CCTV footage from the custody suite, they noted that Mr Safi had, in fact, answered "yeah” when asked if he had been at hospital. When asked "what’s wrong with your arm” he answered "it stopped” and when asked "did you ever try to harm yourself?” he answered "yesterday.” When asked if he ever attempted suicide, Mr Safi did not respond.

At approximately 4.30am, the Custody Sergeant handed over to a colleague.  CCTV shows the Custody Sergeant who was taking over asking "He’s not a self harmer… suicide?” and the Custody Sergeant who was about to leave replying: "No, there’s nothing at all, he’s just I think he’s homeless and not living anywhere and he does just seem a bit airy though that’s my only concern. I’ve checked the Merlins as well he is not shown as missing.”  

At approximately 5.17am, it became clear that immigration authorities did not require Mr Safi to be held in custody.  The Custody Sergeant did not complete the Pre-Release Risk Assessment forms before releasing Mr Safi. Instead, CCTV shows the Custody Sergeant asking officers if Mr Safi was drunk or vulnerable, to which one officer responds "not drunk, just homeless” and a gaoler then says… "he’s just a bit mad.”   

On 18 November 2009, a body was discovered in the River Thames. During the ensuing City of London Police investigation, it became apparent that the body was that of Mr Safi and that he had been seen entering the Thames at around midday on 30 October, shortly after being released from police custody.   

IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: "When Mr Safi was brought into custody, he had a bandage on his wrist and clearly struggled to speak English and yet the Custody Sergeant who had responsibility for his welfare did not consider him vulnerable.  The officer also failed to respond appropriately to Mr Safi’s replies to questions about his welfare.  The Custody Sergeant who was responsible for Mr Safi’s release did not complete the Pre-Release Risk Assessment, which may have highlighted concerns which had been missed earlier.  

"I know that both officers acknowledged the mistakes they had made, and did not seek to excuse their conduct when interviewed by IPCC investigators.  I am also aware that, even if the officers had acted properly, it is doubtful that the outcome of the sad case would have been better.   

"It was clear from a very early stage of the investigation that officers were not routinely completing Pre Release Risk Assessments.  We raised our concerns about this with the MPS and I know they have made several important changes to processes as a direct result of learning from this investigation. I am sure that filling in forms may seem like unnecessary bureaucracy, but we know from experience that properly completed risk assessments can save lives and I am pleased that the Met have taken steps to ensure this is relayed to all custody staff.”

The IPCC concluded that both officers breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour, but that, even if the officers had acted properly, the outcome of this sad case would have been any better.  The Custody Sergeant who booked Mr Safi in has received a written warning and the other Custody Sergeant, who released Mr Safi, has received management advice.

When IPCC investigators watched the CCTV from the custody suite, it was clear that some police officers and staff made disparaging remarks about Mr Safi which seemed to convey a dismissive attitude.  This raises concerns about their attitude towards him and, perhaps, to others in similar circumstances.  While it was not felt appropriate to make those officers subject to the misconduct system, the IPCC wrote the Borough Commander of Hammersmith and Fulham and has since been informed that the officers in question were spoken to by their Senior Management Team and reminded of their responsibility to treat all people with dignity and respect.