We continue to hold police accountable for overreach and unlawful conduct. We recently secured £8,500 in compensation for a South London man who was wrongfully arrested, handcuffed, and detained for over 11 hours—despite having committed no offence.

The incident

In March 2023, our client was driving his car when he was stopped by police officers who accused him of theft of the vehicle. He was asked to produce his driving licence—something he was not legally obliged to do.

When our client reasonably questioned the basis for the stop and asked what information led officers to believe the car was stolen, the situation escalated. Without providing any justification or producing evidence of a report, the officers:

• Manhandled and handcuffed him
• Arrested him for alleged assault on police and criminal damage to clothing

He was taken into custody and detained for over 11½ hours, but once at the station, the theft allegation was quietly dropped. Our client was released on bail without charge. Nearly a year later, the police confirmed that there would be no further action against him.

Our action

We submitted a formal claim for damages, asserting that the officers were acting outside the lawful execution of their duties. The arrest was unlawful from the outset, and our client’s questioning of the officers’ actions was both justified and within his legal rights.

MK Law solicitor Dan Rubinstein, who led the claim, commented:

This was an arrest that clearly should not have taken place. The officers never produced any information that my client’s car had been stolen, and he was perfectly within his rights to object to their actions.”

The case was settled without the need for court proceedings, resulting in a £8,500 compensation payment from the Metropolitan Police.

Why this case matters

This case highlights:

• The importance of knowing your rights when stopped by police
• The lack of accountability that can occur during day-to-day policing
• The need for robust legal challenges when powers are abused

At MK Law, we are proud to stand up for individuals whose rights have been violated—and to secure meaningful outcomes without unnecessary litigation.