Inquiry over 'wrong' armed arrest

The man was arrested at gunpoint at Bournemouth station (pic: BNPS)

Three police forces are to be investigated after armed police ordered a man to lie face-down at a railway station in a case of mistaken identity.

Two Dorset Police officers arrested the 21-year-old at gunpoint after his train stopped at Bournemouth on Saturday.

He was identified by British Transport Police after Hampshire police told them of an earlier incident in Basingstoke.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said all three forces would be investigated.

'Apology made'

In a statement, it said the inquiry would be "a supervised investigation carried out by Dorset Police so that the actions of the three forces involved can be examined".

"The IPCC received a referral from Dorset Police on 6 July and decided yesterday that the actions of the force were appropriate and proportionate to the circumstances and decided that the matter could be dealt with locally."

Dorset Police said a senior officer had visited the man and his family, who live in Bournemouth, and that an apology had been made.

In a statement, the force said: "The 21-year old Bournemouth man was taken to Bournemouth police station but it quickly became clear that it was a case of mistaken identity and he was released immediately.

"During the arrest at Bournemouth railway station, no shots were fired and no-one was injured."

"Dorset Police has voluntarily referred the incident in which a man was detained by armed police officers at Bournemouth railway station over the weekend to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

"The force is also providing on-going support to the family with the appointment of a dedicated family liaison officer."

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