British Transport Police officer dismissed from force after repeatedly hitting man with baton

A police officer filmed repeatedly striking a man with a baton at a London station has been kicked out of the force.

PC Peter Crofts was recorded hitting Anthony Yeboah across the legs with a baton during an incident at King’s Cross St Pancras in March last year.

During the video, Mr Yeboah, who was released from bail with no further action following a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service, repeatedly asked why he was being arrested and yelled: “I am not a criminal.”

An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission last year found the officer, based at the station, had a case to answer for use of force, duties and responsibilities and equality and diversity.

And on Friday, PC Crofts was sacked from British Transport Police (BTP) after a misconduct hearing found him guilty of gross misconduct.

It concluded he had breached a string of professional standards including use of force and discreditable conduct.

Following the hearing, Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said: “I support the decision of the independent misconduct panel to dismiss PC Peter Crofts with immediate effect.

“When police officers fail to retain control of a situation and do not exercise restraint, it understandably alarms the public and it is of extreme regret that a BTP officer has failed in his duty to be proportionate and cautious in his use of force.

“As seen in the video that captured some of the incident, this behaviour was unacceptable and it important to remember that a single incident such as this undermines the bravery of hundreds of officers who rush to the protect the public every day.”