Boy's Arm Broken At Police Station

The police watchdog is investigating how a 15-year-old boy suffered a broken arm while in custody at a police station.

A member of custody staff at Andover police station in Hampshire asked colleagues to enter the boy's cell after reporting "suspicious activity'' on CCTV.

The unnamed boy - who had been arrested the day before on February 26 - alleged that when officers tried to restrain him, he was pinned to the floor and had his arm pulled backwards.

He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was found to have a fractured elbow, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

The boy's mother made a complaint and Hampshire Police referred the case to the IPCC, which is conducting an independent inquiry, it announced today.

IPCC commissioner Mike Franklin said:

"This independent investigation will seek to establish how the young man suffered a serious injury while he was in custody and the general level of care he received.

"In particular, we will look at the type of restraint used on him and whether it was appropriate, considering the situation.''

Hampshire Police had no immediate comment.