Peckham: Met Police under investigation after tasered man dies falling from balcony

An investigation has been opened into an incident involving the Met Police after a man died falling from a balcony in Peckham after being tasered.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it has begun looking into the case following a self-referral from the force.

The incident occurred early on April 12, with police called to reports of a man threatening to jump from a balcony at 1.24am.

An IOPC spokesperson said it understands officers were present for over an hour attempting to convince the man to come off of the balcony.

He was tasered while still on the balcony, and fell several floors to the ground, suffering serious injuries before dying later the same day.

A spokesperson for the Met said body worn video has been reviewed of the incident, and that a mandatory referral was made to the IOPC.

Dete Chf Supt Seb Adjei-Addoh, in charge of policing for Lambeth and Southwark, said: “I know the community will be concerned about this tragic death and I share their concern. All police officers know that their actions will be scrutinised in situations such as these, and the Met is fully supporting the independent investigation by the IOPC.”

An IOPC spokesperson said: “Our investigation is in its initial stages and we have secured officers’ body worn footage as we begin gathering evidence.”

The Met spokesperson confirmed enquiries remain under way to identify the man’s next of kin, and that formal identification and examination will be arranged in due course.