Misconduct inquiry over fatal schoolgirl crash

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an inquiry into the actions of 11 Metropolitan Police officers following a tragic incident in Wimbledon that claimed the lives of two young girls three years prior. The investigation focuses on how the initial response to the crash was managed, with four current officers and one former detective constable under scrutiny for potential gross misconduct.

Tragic incident and initial findings

In July 2023, a Land Rover driven by Claire Freemantle collided with a group of children during an end-of-term tea party at The Study Preparatory School, resulting in the deaths of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both aged eight. Freemantle was not charged after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) cited an undiagnosed epileptic seizure as the cause. However, the girls’ families have long contested the thoroughness of the original probe, insisting it was flawed from the start.

“We have always sought the truth, and will continue to champion the pursuit of complete clarity on the events of that devastating day and subsequent actions taken by the Metropolitan Police,” said the families in a statement. “The truth must come to light.”

Expanded inquiry and allegations

The IOPC investigation, which began in August 2025, aims to examine whether Met officers provided misleading information to those impacted and if their treatment of victims was influenced by racial bias. The inquiry will also assess the overall conduct of the investigation team, including management, direction, and engagement with the families.

The Met Police announced in October 2024 that it was restarting its probe after an internal review uncovered new lines of inquiry. Freemantle was re-arrested in January 2025 on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was interviewed again in July 2025. During a prior statement in 2024, she expressed “deepest sorrow” but claimed to have “no recollection of what took place.”

Families’ ongoing frustration

Nuria’s parents, speaking from their Wimbledon home surrounded by photos of their daughter, said they hoped the IOPC would reveal how the police had “failed” them. Nuria’s mother, Smera Chohan, described her emotions as “emotional and angry,” questioning why the incident hadn’t warranted a “competent and thorough investigation.”

“I really want to understand why I have been treated so cruelly, unfairly and in an inhumane way. I would like the keepers of law, of the system, to come and tell me,” she added.

Chohan, who has undergone her fifth surgery on her legs following injuries sustained in the crash, emphasized her desire for a decisive resolution. “It’s been left hanging for three years and that isn’t right,” she stated, noting her lack of expectation for special treatment. Her husband, Sajjad Butt, echoed these sentiments, accusing the CPS of “leaving us in the dark” and expressing concerns that the system was “broken” and “unwilling to engage with victims.”

The families reported being contacted by prosecutors shortly after the BBC sought their input, but they remain dissatisfied with the progress made. They continue to demand answers about the handling of the case and the reasons behind the prolonged process.

Metropolitan Police response

Cdr Charmain Brenyah, head of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, acknowledged the impact of the inquiry on the families. “Our thoughts remain with Nuria and Selena’s families, as well as everyone affected by this tragedy,” she said. “It is right that our initial handling of this incident be independently scrutinised, and we will provide every assistance to the IOPC as their investigation continues.”

The CPS confirmed it received a full evidence file from the Met in March and further legal guidance last week, but additional factors remain to be considered before a final decision on charges is reached.