Autistic girl arrested over ‘homophobic’ remark will face no further action after outcry
TikTok video uploaded by mother showed girl crying as she was detained by around half a dozen officers in Leeds - an investigation into their behaviour is ongoing
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A 16-year-old girl arrested after being accused of making a ‘homophobic’ remark to a police officer will face no further action, West Yorkshire Police have said.
A video uploaded to TikTok by her mother showed the autistic teenager being detained by seven officers outside her home in Leeds in the early hours of Monday, 7 August.
The force also said it will “take on board any lessons to be learned” after the footage of the arrest sparked criticism on social media.
A statement released on Friday said: “In relation to an incident in Leeds on Monday, where a 16-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of a homophobic public order offence, West Yorkshire Police has now reviewed the evidence and made the decision to take no further action.
“This concludes the criminal investigation and immediately releases the girl from her bail. Her family has been updated.
“West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate is continuing to carry out a review of the circumstances after receiving a complaint in relation to the incident,” the statement added.
Assistant Chief Constable Oz Khan said: “We recognise the significant level of public concern that this incident has generated, and we have moved swiftly to fully review the evidence in the criminal investigation which has led to the decision to take no further action.
“Without pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing review of the circumstances by our Professional Standards Directorate, we would like to reassure people that we will take on board any lessons to be learned from this incident.
“We do appreciate the understandable sensitivities around incidents involving young people and neurodiversity and we are genuinely committed to developing how we respond to these often very challenging situations.”