Press Release
For Immediate Release
A case of wrongful Arrest and Detention by West Midlands Police
Below is a statement from Shakeil Jackson a 19 year old unemployed black young man from Handsworth:
“The morning of Tuesday August 6th 2013 my dad had just left to go to work and he told me that my motorbike (Lexmoto XTR S 125) was stolen. In disbelief I prepared my self to report it missing.
1.30pm I walked up the road (Wattville Rd.) to catch the bus to Thornhill Rd police station. I spent some time talking to my two uncles and we all went to Thornhill police station. I was in the station for about 20 minutes. We left the station and arrived back on Holyhead road. We parked outside the bookies beside the Royal Oak pub.
6.20pm (ish) 3 police cars pulled up in the road where I was. The police officers came out of their cars approached and surround me. I heard one of the officers speaking through the police radio confirming that they had they had the indentified suspect.
I asked the officers what’s going on and one of the officers said I was identified as a suspect in a robbery so I asked him what for and he replied a mobile phone.
I listened to the officers and did not retaliate but I did tell them that I did not want to go into the police car or go to the station. I also told them that my motorbike had been stolen the same morning and all I did that day was report my bike being stolen at Thornhill Rd police station. I repeatedly told the police officers to check Thornhill roads and the Royal Oak Pub’s CCTV camera’s because I was they able to confirm my whereabouts.
One of the officers pulled me to the side and said that I need to go into the car so that they can take me to the station. Because I refused to go into the car another police officer then said that I was now under arrest.
6.30pm I was handcuffed and taken into the car by 3 officers and taken to Steel house lane police station. It took about 15 minutes to get there.
While this was happening it caused a lot of public attention. Shop keepers, local people and people on the buses were all witnessing. My feelings at this time: confused, angry, humiliated, hungry and hurt.
Steel House Lane Police station.
Whilst in the custody area I was read my rights and searched. I saw one of the police officers take my house key out of my property bag and heard him say that they were going search my room. During this time they asked me if I wanted a lawyer and I declined. This took roughly 20 minutes. I was then taken into a room where they took my picture and finger prints. From that point I was put in a cell until the next morning. No food, no drink and no communication of the process of the investigation.
In the morning I was woken up and given two cereal bars and a cup of tea. After drinking the tea I went back to sleep. I was woken up again and told I was going to be interviewed. I asked for the time and I was told it was 9 am. I was then taken to be interviewed by Kim Savage and her colleague.
In the interview it was stated that a girl had been robbed of her necklace on Belmont Road East. She reported the robbery and described the suspect as a light skinned male, 5’8ft tall with a grey hoodie on. I was told that shortly before my arrest the girl took pictures of me while I was standing outside the Royal Oak pub and told the police that is was definitely me with conformation from her two friends.
At the end of the interview I denied being involved or even at the scene of the robbery.
After the interview I was told that the CCTV footage of Thornhill Station will be checked. Kim Savage checked the CCTV and confirmed I was in the station at the time of the robbery.
I was then released at 9.30am without any charges.”
Yet again this is another case of West Midlands Police getting it totally wrong with a black young man.
Despite his protesting his innocence at the point of arrest and indeed once taken into custody at Steelhouse Lane Police station, the officers just did not bother to follow up Mr Jackson’s protests and claim that whilst the incident was taking place he was actually at Thornhill Road Police Station reporting his motor being stolen.
He was detained in a cell for some 15 hours, which was totally unnecessary as it would have only taken 10 minutes to have checked to CCTV at Thornhill Road Police Station which would have confirmed his location at the time of the incident.
It was not until he was interviewed the following morning that an Officer decided to check and confirmed Mr Jackson’s statement and ironically it is West Midlands Police that confirmed a rock solid alibi, for him.
This highlights the following issues:
1. Why did it take so long for WMP to confirm Mr Jackson’s presence at Thornhill Road Police station?
2. What is the justification for 15 hours detention?
3. Was Mr Jackson given the ‘fair treatment’ by West Midlands Police as a young black man?
4. During Mr Jackson’s unjustified detention, the real culprit was still at large.
5. What was expected to be gained by treating Mr Jackson in this way, a confession/ a miscarriage of Justice.
6. We are aware of the issues surrounding stop n search and the criminalisation of black young people.
7. Is this not a case of racial profiling by West Midlands Police.
8. It is notable the visit of Rev. Jesse Jackson to this City last week and his comments, are we really comparable to Alabama 50 years ago.
A complaint has already been forwarded the Police & Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands Bob Jones requesting an immediate investigation in this case.
Mr Jackson has never been in trouble with the Police and is a very talented self taught pianist.
Notes to Editors:
A Press conference has been arranged with Mr Jackson on Wednesday 11th September 2013 at 11am. The location is Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church 330 Soho Road Handsworth Birmingham B21 9NA.
All press are welcomed for interviews and comments.
Please contact Desmond Jaddoo for further information on 07946374577
Desmond Jaddoo
www.desjaddoo.org.uk
www.b-e-f.org.uk
For Immediate Release
A case of wrongful Arrest and Detention by West Midlands Police
Below is a statement from Shakeil Jackson a 19 year old unemployed black young man from Handsworth:
“The morning of Tuesday August 6th 2013 my dad had just left to go to work and he told me that my motorbike (Lexmoto XTR S 125) was stolen. In disbelief I prepared my self to report it missing.
1.30pm I walked up the road (Wattville Rd.) to catch the bus to Thornhill Rd police station. I spent some time talking to my two uncles and we all went to Thornhill police station. I was in the station for about 20 minutes. We left the station and arrived back on Holyhead road. We parked outside the bookies beside the Royal Oak pub.
6.20pm (ish) 3 police cars pulled up in the road where I was. The police officers came out of their cars approached and surround me. I heard one of the officers speaking through the police radio confirming that they had they had the indentified suspect.
I asked the officers what’s going on and one of the officers said I was identified as a suspect in a robbery so I asked him what for and he replied a mobile phone.
I listened to the officers and did not retaliate but I did tell them that I did not want to go into the police car or go to the station. I also told them that my motorbike had been stolen the same morning and all I did that day was report my bike being stolen at Thornhill Rd police station. I repeatedly told the police officers to check Thornhill roads and the Royal Oak Pub’s CCTV camera’s because I was they able to confirm my whereabouts.
One of the officers pulled me to the side and said that I need to go into the car so that they can take me to the station. Because I refused to go into the car another police officer then said that I was now under arrest.
6.30pm I was handcuffed and taken into the car by 3 officers and taken to Steel house lane police station. It took about 15 minutes to get there.
While this was happening it caused a lot of public attention. Shop keepers, local people and people on the buses were all witnessing. My feelings at this time: confused, angry, humiliated, hungry and hurt.
Steel House Lane Police station.
Whilst in the custody area I was read my rights and searched. I saw one of the police officers take my house key out of my property bag and heard him say that they were going search my room. During this time they asked me if I wanted a lawyer and I declined. This took roughly 20 minutes. I was then taken into a room where they took my picture and finger prints. From that point I was put in a cell until the next morning. No food, no drink and no communication of the process of the investigation.
In the morning I was woken up and given two cereal bars and a cup of tea. After drinking the tea I went back to sleep. I was woken up again and told I was going to be interviewed. I asked for the time and I was told it was 9 am. I was then taken to be interviewed by Kim Savage and her colleague.
In the interview it was stated that a girl had been robbed of her necklace on Belmont Road East. She reported the robbery and described the suspect as a light skinned male, 5’8ft tall with a grey hoodie on. I was told that shortly before my arrest the girl took pictures of me while I was standing outside the Royal Oak pub and told the police that is was definitely me with conformation from her two friends.
At the end of the interview I denied being involved or even at the scene of the robbery.
After the interview I was told that the CCTV footage of Thornhill Station will be checked. Kim Savage checked the CCTV and confirmed I was in the station at the time of the robbery.
I was then released at 9.30am without any charges.”
Yet again this is another case of West Midlands Police getting it totally wrong with a black young man.
Despite his protesting his innocence at the point of arrest and indeed once taken into custody at Steelhouse Lane Police station, the officers just did not bother to follow up Mr Jackson’s protests and claim that whilst the incident was taking place he was actually at Thornhill Road Police Station reporting his motor being stolen.
He was detained in a cell for some 15 hours, which was totally unnecessary as it would have only taken 10 minutes to have checked to CCTV at Thornhill Road Police Station which would have confirmed his location at the time of the incident.
It was not until he was interviewed the following morning that an Officer decided to check and confirmed Mr Jackson’s statement and ironically it is West Midlands Police that confirmed a rock solid alibi, for him.
This highlights the following issues:
1. Why did it take so long for WMP to confirm Mr Jackson’s presence at Thornhill Road Police station?
2. What is the justification for 15 hours detention?
3. Was Mr Jackson given the ‘fair treatment’ by West Midlands Police as a young black man?
4. During Mr Jackson’s unjustified detention, the real culprit was still at large.
5. What was expected to be gained by treating Mr Jackson in this way, a confession/ a miscarriage of Justice.
6. We are aware of the issues surrounding stop n search and the criminalisation of black young people.
7. Is this not a case of racial profiling by West Midlands Police.
8. It is notable the visit of Rev. Jesse Jackson to this City last week and his comments, are we really comparable to Alabama 50 years ago.
A complaint has already been forwarded the Police & Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands Bob Jones requesting an immediate investigation in this case.
Mr Jackson has never been in trouble with the Police and is a very talented self taught pianist.
Notes to Editors:
A Press conference has been arranged with Mr Jackson on Wednesday 11th September 2013 at 11am. The location is Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church 330 Soho Road Handsworth Birmingham B21 9NA.
All press are welcomed for interviews and comments.
Please contact Desmond Jaddoo for further information on 07946374577
Desmond Jaddoo
www.desjaddoo.org.uk
www.b-e-f.org.uk