A man in his fifties was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Whittington Hospital on Monday, left in a critical condition following a tense police incident in Camden, North London.
According to police, the man was acting erratically on Euston Road, setting his clothes on fire and threatening passersby. Officers were called to the scene after multiple distress reports from members of the public.
The man was taken to a nearby north London medical facility for assessment. While at the hospital, he became agitated, which led officers to use PAVA spray and restrain him. During the restraint, the man lost consciousness and was immediately taken to hospital for emergency treatment.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed it is conducting an independent investigation into the actions of Metropolitan Police Service officers during the incident. A spokesperson for the IOPC stated, “An independent investigation into the actions of Metropolitan Police Service officers during an incident where a man was restrained at a hospital is underway. The man remains in critical but stable condition.”
This investigation comes amid ongoing pressure on the Metropolitan Police to restore public trust. Recent reports have criticised the force for institutional racism, sexism, and homophobia. In response, efforts are being made to reassign officers from serious crime roles to strengthen internal conduct standards, particularly following the high-profile murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens.
Originally published by UKNIP.