Police watchdog investigates Met officers over fatal school crash inquiry

The police watchdog is investigating complaints made against 11 police officers over their handling of an inquiry into a road crash that killed two schoolgirls.

Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, died in the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, in July 2023 while celebrating the last day of the summer term.

The investigation has been prompted by the families of the two girls who have been critical of how the Metropolitan Police investigation has been carried out.

In June 2024, the Metropolitan Police said the driver of the 4×4 which crashed into the school had suffered an epileptic seizure and would face no criminal charges.

But the families said they were unconvinced the investigation had been carried out thoroughly and the force said it would reopen its inquiry.

Claire Freemantle was rearrested and released on bail pending further investigations last year.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it began its investigation into the 11 Met officers in August last year after a referral from the force of complaints made on behalf of the families.

The watchdog said the complaints related to “concerns about the standard of the investigation, including its management and direction, the conduct of the investigation team, and their engagement with the victims”.

The families told the BBC in a statement they were “encouraged” the IOPC had opened an inquiry.

They said: “We have always sought the truth, and will continue to champion the pursuit of complete clarity on the events of that devastating day and subsequent actions taken by the Metropolitan Police.

“The truth must come to light.”

IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “We are investigating complaints made against 11 Met Police officers over their handling of the initial investigation into the road traffic incident, in which the two children sadly died and multiple other people were injured at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon.”

She added: “The complaints relate to concerns about the standard of the investigation, including its management and direction, the conduct of the investigation team, and their engagement with the victims.

“We are also investigating allegations that Met officers provided false and misleading information to those affected and whether the officers’ treatment of those affected was influenced by their race.

“We have now served notices advising four serving officers, whose ranks are commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and detective constable, and a former detective inspector, that their conduct is being investigated at the level of gross misconduct.

“Two detective constables are being investigated at misconduct level.

“Our investigation is ongoing and should any further conduct issues be identified then officers will be served notices.

“All officers served notices will be interviewed in due course.

“The serving of notices does not mean that proceedings will necessarily follow.”

Ms Rowe said IOPC investigators have met with the complainants and the officers leading the Met Police’s new investigation into the tragedy.

The director said: “At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers have a disciplinary case to answer in respect of the conduct allegations.”

Commander Charmain Brenyah, from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “Our thoughts remain with Nuria and Selena’s families, as well as everyone who has been impacted by this terrible tragedy.

“We understand this prolonged process has compounded their grief and suffering.

“It is right that our initial handling of this incident be independently scrutinised, and we will provide every assistance to the IOPC as their investigation continues.”