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The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into 11 police officers over their handling of the inquiry into a fatal crash at a school in Wimbledon that killed two young girls.
The watchdog confirmed that the officers — including senior ranks such as a commander and a detective inspector — are under investigation for alleged gross misconduct and misconduct.
The victims, Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, died in July 2023 when a Land Rover crashed into a building at a prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London. The incident occurred during a tea party marking the end of the summer term.
As part of its inquiry, the IOPC is examining claims that the way officers handled the case may have been influenced by the race of the victims’ families. Investigators are also looking into allegations that police provided false or misleading information to those affected.
The driver, Claire Freemantle, was initially not charged after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded she had suffered an undiagnosed epileptic seizure and had no memory of the घटना. However, she was re-arrested in October after the Metropolitan Police reopened the case.
The families of the victims have long questioned the quality of the initial investigation, stating they were not convinced it had been conducted thoroughly. They have welcomed the watchdog’s decision to step in.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said the investigation began in August last year following a referral from the Metropolitan Police regarding complaints made by those affected.
She stated that the inquiry will focus on the overall standard of the investigation, including how it was managed, how officers interacted with victims, and whether proper procedures were followed.
Among those being investigated for gross misconduct are four serving officers — including a commander, a detective chief inspector, a detective sergeant, and a detective constable — along with a former detective inspector. Two additional officers are being investigated for misconduct.
All officers involved have been formally notified and are expected to be interviewed, though the IOPC clarified that this does not automatically lead to disciplinary action.
In a joint statement, the families of Nuria and Selena described the past months as deeply painful and reiterated their belief that the initial investigation was flawed.
They said they remain committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring full accountability over the events of that day and the actions that followed.
Nuria’s mother, Smera Chohan, who was seriously injured in the crash, said she wants answers about how she and her family were treated, calling for fairness and transparency.
Her father, Sajjad Butt, also criticised the CPS, saying the family felt left in the dark and that the justice system had failed to properly engage with them.
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