In a turn of events that has cast a spotlight on police conduct, eleven officers from the Metropolitan Police are under scrutiny for their handling of a tragic car crash investigation in Wimbledon. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of two eight-year-old schoolgirls, has raised serious questions about the actions of those responsible for the investigation.
The heartbreaking event unfolded in July 2023 when a Land Rover Defender careened through a fence and into a primary school in south-west London, claiming the lives of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau. The vehicle’s driver, 48-year-old Claire Freemantle, was found to have suffered an undiagnosed epileptic seizure at the time of the crash, leading to a lack of charges from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as she had no memory of the incident.
Despite this, the focus has now shifted to the investigation itself, with four current police officers and one former detective constable facing allegations of potential gross misconduct. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is delving into claims that these officers may have provided false and misleading information to those affected by the tragedy.
The IOPC’s investigation is also exploring whether racial factors played a role in how the officers treated those impacted by the crash. This aspect of the inquiry is likely to intensify the scrutiny surrounding the case, as it probes deeper into the possible motivations and actions of the involved officers.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its inquiry will examine allegations that officers ‘provided false and misleading information to those affected’.
The watchdog is also investigating whether ‘officers’ treatment of those affected was influenced by their race’.
The ranks of the four serving officers under investigation are commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and detective constable. Two detectives are also being investigated at misconduct level.
Nuria and Selena had been enjoying an end-of-the-year tea party at their Study Prep school when the Land Rover veered off-road on July 6, 2023.
Ms Freemantle, who expressed her ‘deepest sorrow’, was arrested on the day of the incident but prosecutors later decided not to bring criminal charges.
Selena Lau, eight, was one of two little girls killed in the crash at Wimbledon Prep School in July 2023
Nuria Sajjad, eight, also died from her injuries after the car crashed through a fence at the school
However the Met reopened its investigation into the crash in October 2024 following an internal review, with Ms Freemantle re-arrested in January of this year.
She is currently out on bail and, according to a police statement upon her re-arrest, will report to a police station later this month.
The CPS confirmed it has received a full file of evidence from the Met and sought legal advice this week, though further factors need to be considered before a charge can be brought.
The Met said it supports an independent investigation into the fatal collision.
In an interview with the BBC, Nuria Sajjad’s parents – Smera Chohan and Sajjad Butt – said the Met had ‘failed them’.
Ms Chohan, Nuria’s mother, said: ‘I hope the IOPC will cover that. I really want to understand why I have been treated so cruelly, unfairly and in an inhumane way.
‘I would like the keepers of law, of the system, to come and tell me. I am not asking for any favouritism, any leeway or any sympathy.
‘I’m just saying, “do it right”. It’s been left hanging for three years and that isn’t right’.
Ms Chohan is facing a fifth surgery on her legs after suffering injuries in the same crash which killed her daughter.
Mr Butt, Nuria’s father, said he and his family have ‘not been protected’ and ‘left out in the cold’ by the police force.
The families of both Nuria and Selena said their lives have been ‘irreparably shattered’ in a statement released on Tuesday.
Specialist officers are pictured at the scene of the incident, which took place during an end-of -year party
It read: ‘The past 33 months have been incredibly difficult for everyone affected including those who lost family, were seriously injured or witnessed the horrific incident, and we are still trying to come to terms with what happened on that fateful day.
‘We have always maintained that the initial investigation was flawed. When the Crown Prosecution Service took the decision for no further action against the driver on the 26th of June 2024, we asserted that the original investigation was poor, and we were unconvinced that the investigation was conducted thoroughly.
‘We are encouraged that the Independent Office of Police Conduct have opened an inquiry. 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 of its investigation: ‘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.’
‘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.’
A statement from the Crown Prosecution Service read: ‘After careful consideration of all the evidence and material provided by the police as part of this reinvestigation, and upon receipt of advice from counsel on 7 April, we have concluded that there are some further factors we must consider before a decision on charge can be reached.
‘We appreciate the ongoing distress any delay may cause and are committed to making a final decision as soon as possible.
‘Our thoughts remain with the families of Nuria and Selena and all those impacted by this tragic incident.’
The Met Police confirmed it is fully in support of the investigation.
Commander Charmain Brenyah, who leads 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.’
