Met Police officers on restricted duties after fight in South Bank

Police were called just after 11pm on Friday night (December 1) to reports of people fighting on Jubilee Bridge and near the Royal Festival Hall in South Bank. Enquiries were carried out that night and the Met became aware of information suggesting that off-duty police officers were involved in the fight. Since reports were made, action has been taken by the Met to investigate the incidents.

At this time, four Met officers have been placed on restricted duties while the investigation takes place. They are no longer on public facing duties. No arrests have been made.

A voluntary referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and police wait to see if it will investigate independently or refer back to the Met. Detective Inspector Nicholas Goldwater is leading the investigation and said: “Our CID team is working alongside colleagues from the Directorate of Professional Standards to ascertain the facts of the incident, which led to numerous calls being made to the police that night. “We are pursuing all lines of enquiry to establish what happened, including viewing a large amount of CCTV footage.

These CCTV enquiries are lengthy and ongoing. “We would like to hear from anyone who was involved – including a group of men we believe to be of Romanian heritage – who may have information about the incident.” Anyone with information or footage, or anyone who witnessed the fights but has yet to speak with police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC ref CAD 7908/01Dec.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Detectives have launched an investigation into disorder which took place on the South Bank during the evening of Friday, 1 December. “Police received multiple calls, beginning shortly after 23:00hrs on Friday, 1 December, to reports of people fighting on Jubilee Bridge and by Royal Festival Hall, South Bank.

“Enquiries were carried out that night and the Met quickly became aware of information suggesting that off-duty police officers were involved in the fight. “Since reports were made, swift action has been taken by the Met to investigate the incidents. “At this time, four Met officers have been placed on restricted duties while the investigation takes place.

They are no longer on public facing duties. “No arrests have been made. “A voluntary referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and we await advice about whether it will investigate independently or refer back to the Met.

“Anyone with information or footage, or anyone who witnessed the fights but has yet to speak with police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC ref CAD 7908/01Dec.

“You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”