Misconduct inquiry over fatal schoolgirl crash
Misconduct Inquiry Over Fatal Schoolgirl Crash
Police Watchdog Investigates Met Officers
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is examining eleven Metropolitan Police officers for their role in the initial probe of a tragic incident in Wimbledon. The crash, which claimed the lives of two eight-year-old schoolgirls, occurred three years ago, and the inquiry now centers on potential gross misconduct by four current officers and one former detective constable.
Crash and Initial Response
A Land Rover, driven by Claire Freemantle, collided with a tea party hosted by The Study Preparatory School in July 2023, killing Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau. Freemantle was not charged, as the Crown Prosecution Service cited an undiagnosed epileptic seizure. However, the families of the girls consistently argued the investigation was insufficient.
“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.
They expressed cautious optimism as the IOPC initiated its review in August 2025. The watchdog’s probe will assess whether Met officers shared inaccurate information and if their treatment of victims was influenced by racial factors. It will also evaluate the investigation’s management, team conduct, and engagement with the affected parties.
Officers Under Scrutiny
The four serving officers under investigation include a commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant, and detective constable. Two additional detective constables are also being reviewed for misconduct. Cdr Charmain Brenyah, leading the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, acknowledged the families’ enduring grief: “Our thoughts remain with Nuria and Selena’s families, as well as everyone impacted by this tragedy. It is right that our initial handling of this incident be independently scrutinised.”
Reopening of the Investigation
The Met Police announced in October 2024 that it had launched a new inquiry, following an internal review. Freemantle was re-arrested in January 2025 on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was interviewed again in July 2025. In a 2024 statement, she expressed “deepest sorrow” but claimed “no recollection of what took place.”
CPS and Family Frustrations
The Crown Prosecution Service received the Met’s full evidence file in March and recent legal guidance, yet further deliberations are pending. Nuria’s parents, speaking from their Wimbledon home surrounded by photos of their daughter, emphasized their hope for accountability: “I hope the IOPC will cover that,” said Smera Chohan, Nuria’s mother. “I really want to understand why I have been treated so cruelly, unfairly, and in an inhumane way.”
Chohan, who recently underwent her fifth leg surgery from injuries sustained in the crash, criticized the system’s failure to deliver a “competent and thorough investigation.” She urged the legal authorities to “do it right” after three years of unresolved questions. Her husband, Sajjad Butt, added: “We are deeply concerned—CPS has left us in the dark. As the organization meant to serve victims, it seems unwilling to engage with them.”
Ongoing Concerns
Prosecutors contacted the family shortly after the BBC sought their response. Despite the IOPC’s progress, the families remain unresolved in their belief that the Met’s actions were flawed. They continue to demand transparency and justice, stating: “The truth must come to light.”