Learning for the Met following man’s drowning after being arrested
Factual summary of a published IOPC investigation, covering the incident, key findings and outcome.
All IOPC reports
- Published
- 2025-01-17
- Investigation type
- independent
- Force involved
- Metropolitan Police Service
What was investigated
Our investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a man, who drowned in the River Thames after escaping from Met Police officers who had arrested him, has made recommendations to the force.
Key findings
- The inquest concluded the man's death was an accident.
- There were inadequacies by the police in the man's arrest and rescue attempt.
- Failures and omissions in the rescue 'possibly more than minimally' contributed to the man's death.
- Officers failed to notice a lifebuoy at the riverbank during the incident.
- A throwline was used seven minutes after the man entered the water.
- CCTV and body-worn footage were analysed during the investigation.
- Training for officers regarding buoyancy aids was found necessary.
- Recommendations for the control room staff to receive refresher training were made.
Outcome
The recommendations made to the Met were accepted, aiming to prevent future incidents.
Related on BlueLineHub
- Accountability hub — how oversight of UK policing works
- IOPC outcomes & learning feed
- Metropolitan Police Service force profile
Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 14 July 2026 · Next review due: 14 January 2027
This is a factual summary of a report published by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Individuals are referred to exactly as the source report anonymises them. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the IOPC · Summarised 2026-07-14.