BTP make voluntary referral to IOPC after Shortlands arrests

Following the arrest of two teenagers at Shortlands station on Monday morning, we have been working to establish exactly what happened.

Senior officers have reviewed the body worn videos that were worn by all of our officers involved in this incident.

We are confident that our officers acted proportionately – and that they were professional and courteous throughout. We have heard the concerns felt by the family of the boys, and the wider community.

We have offered the family the opportunity to watch officers' body worn camera footage, so they can see what happened.

To demonstrate our commitment to ensuring full transparency, we have voluntarily referred ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The IOPC can now decide if there is to be an independent review of the incident and we will be co-operating fully.