POLICE officers are under investigation after they were caught on a security camera allegedly torturing a man in Erith.

One 42-year-old male PC, who has served with the Met for 18 years, was suspended last week after solicitors handed a videotape of the incident to Scotland Yard.

Colin May, 42, of West Street, Erith, claims he was deliberately run over, assaulted and then refused medical aid for his broken leg by the officers in 1999.

He is suing police for injuries and distress over the way he was treated and his case is backed by video evidence captured by a neighbour who turned on a security camera after hearing a noise.

The footage is alleged to show an officer with his foot on Mr May's stomach in Tranquil Rise, Erith.

Mr May also alleged that, when he asked a policeman to call him an ambulance, the officer replied: "You're an ambulance.

"You're a very naughty ambulance."

He told the News Shopper he had left his house to investigate noises coming from a neighbour's garden. He was unaware police had already been called. He said: "I had taken a knife with me for protection.

"When a police officer turned on a torch, I thought I had walked into a trap and ran off.

"An unmarked police car shot up behind me and deliberately ran me down. While I was on the ground, one of the officers put handcuffs on so tight they broke a bone in my wrist.

"He then turned me on my back and kicked me in the head.

"One officer put his foot on my stomach trying to get me to tell them what I did with the knife."

Mr May claims he threw the home-made knife, usually used for levering open his back gate, in the river.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman said: "Having received the allegation, we immediately launched a full investigation which has resulted in one officer being suspended from duty.

"A number of other PCs have been served with disciplinary notices informing them that they are also being investigated.

He added: "The Met is determined to establish the full facts and to act swiftly to ensure that the confidence of Londoners is maintained."

December 11, 2001 11:42

Adrian Kwintner