Student ‘tackled by six police in stop and search racial profiling’

A drama student who claims he was tackled to the ground by six police officers during a stop and search is a victim of “racial profiling”, according to a human rights charity.

Moses Alexander, 21, who is at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, had left Ye Olde Swiss Cottage pub with a white friend, Mark, 23, when they saw a police car approaching at 11.10pm on June 21.

He told the Standard: “As I walked over a crossing an officer jumped out. Before I knew it, there’s six police around me. Next thing, I was on the floor. It’s upsetting that this is something that can happen to anyone who, in their eyes, is seen as untrustworthy.”

According to Met police rules, stop and search should be carried out on “individuals we suspect of having participated in or are about to commit a crime”.

In a form about the reason for the stop and search, the arresting officer does not state an offence of which Mr Alexander was suspected. No drugs were found and both men say they have never been in trouble with police.

Scotland Yard said the drama student was “not compliant” and “appeared under the influence of drink”.

Mr Alexander said: “I’m 100 per cent certain force was used against me because I am black. The police reports described Mark’s movements as ‘shifty’, yet they came for me.”

Katrina Ffrench, of StopWatch which campaigns for fair policing, said: “This is a prime example of the racial profiling that happens with stop and search.”