Eleven police officers are under investigation for allegedly providing false information to the families of two eight-year-old girls who tragically lost their lives in a crash at their primary school. Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau sustained severe injuries when a Land Rover, driven by Claire Freemantle, collided with end-of-term festivities at The Study Preparatory School in July 2023. Freemantle, who claimed to have experienced an undiagnosed epileptic seizure, was not charged in connection with the incident in Wimbledon, south west London.
The investigation now includes four active police officers, including a Commander and a Detective Chief Inspector, who are facing potential charges of gross misconduct for their handling of the initial probe. The families expressed relief that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) initiated an inquiry, emphasizing their commitment to uncovering the truth surrounding the tragic events and the actions of the Metropolitan Police.
The IOPC revealed that the inquiry will focus on allegations of officers giving misleading information to the affected parties and whether their treatment was influenced by racial factors. The Crown Prosecution Service is examining potential charges following a serious case review that exposed significant deficiencies in the initial investigation, including mishandling of medical evidence related to epilepsy diagnosis.
Critical voices have pointed out missed opportunities by officers from the Road Traffic Collisions Unit, who allegedly neglected to interview key witnesses regarding the driver’s conduct post-accident. The case was subsequently reopened and led by a detective superintendent from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
Parents of Nuria expressed their hopes that the IOPC investigation would shed light on the perceived failures of the Metropolitan Police in their daughter’s case. They emphasized the importance of a thorough and just investigation, highlighting their ongoing struggles with the system’s challenges.
The families, in a joint statement, recalled the tragic incident that shattered their lives and criticized the flawed initial investigation. The CPS acknowledged the families’ distress over potential delays in decision-making and assured them of a prompt resolution. The IOPC director extended sympathies to the affected families and confirmed the ongoing investigation into the conduct of the Met officers involved in the case.
The probe, initiated in August 2025 following complaints from affected individuals, aims to address concerns regarding the investigation’s management, conduct, and engagement with victims. The IOPC has notified several officers, including high-ranking officials, of potential gross misconduct investigations, with ongoing scrutiny into any further misconduct issues that may emerge.