UMVA has learned that a harrowing incident of mistaken identity has left a disabled man shaken after police officers arrived at his home and took him into custody.
Lee Ramsden, who suffers from paralysis down the right-hand side of his body after a fall 18 years ago, described the ordeal as terrifying. He had just made a coffee when police came to his home, an event that would leave him feeling scared and vulnerable.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Mr. Ramsden was arrested and taken to the police station, only to be released when officers realized they had the wrong person. The sudden turn of events left him feeling "shook up" and frightened, particularly given his disability.
Mr. Ramsden claimed that officers ignored his disability when handcuffing him, an allegation that has sparked concerns about police handling of individuals with disabilities. However, Greater Manchester Police have disputed this claim, stating that officers followed due process for an individual with disabilities.
The police force did admit to Mr. Ramsden's wrongful arrest, acknowledging that they had acted on inaccurate information. A spokesperson said that officers had been deployed to an incident regarding an alleged violent offence and had acted in good faith on the information available at the time.
Despite the assurances, Mr. Ramsden's experience has raised questions about police procedures and the need for greater sensitivity when interacting with individuals with disabilities. The incident has highlighted the importance of accurate information and careful handling of such situations.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the police have been in contact with Mr. Ramsden since the incident to address his concerns. The correct suspect was later identified, arrested, and taken into custody, but the damage had already been done for Mr. Ramsden.
The incident serves as a reminder of the need for police officers to be aware of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and to take steps to ensure their safety and well-being during interactions.
