Police handcuff 12-year-old boy over e-scooter in Wales

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 17:56 · Archive

South Wales Police handcuffed a 12-year-old boy and forced him to the ground while confiscating his e-scooter in Pontardawe, Swansea Valley.

South Wales Police handcuffed Zain Evans, 12, and forced him to the floor while confiscating his e-scooter in Pontardawe, Swansea Valley, on 28 October. Officers found him and a friend exploring an abandoned chapel. Mobile phone footage shows Zain in pyjama trousers and a hoodie telling officers he needed the scooter to get to school. His friend told police they were walking it to be repaired at his house after its electrics stopped working, but officers replied 'Oh, please. I wasn't born yesterday. Stop lying.'

Zain was then forcibly detained as a male officer grabbed him from behind and ordered him to move. According to his mother, Emily Evans, Zain heard a 'pop' as officers pulled his arms behind his back. He sustained injuries including cuts from broken glass and was treated in hospital. Police also confiscated both boys' phones.

Mrs Evans said her son had been shaken by the experience and called the officers' conduct 'completely out of order'. Metro reports that when Mrs Evans sought to recover the e-scooters from the compound where they were supposed to be kept, the compound claimed to have no knowledge of them.

How it is being reported

• Police handcuff boy, 12, and force him to the ground over e-scooterZain Evans was exploring a disused church in Pontardawe, Swansea Valley, on Wednesday when he was suddenly accosted by officers on the afternoon of October 28.Metro · 1 Nov, 17:39
• Moment police force boy, 12, to the floor and handcuff him while confiscating his e-scooterSouth Wales Police has faced a backlash for their use of force against Zain Evans, who they found poking around an abandoned chapel in Pontardawe, Swansea Valley.Daily Mail · 1 Nov, 08:04

In this story: Zain Evans · Emily Evans · South Wales Police · Pontardawe · Swansea Valley

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