The police watchdog has launched an investigation into 11 officers about the handling of the initial probe into the July 2023 crash at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon
08:21, 14 Apr 2026Updated 12:26, 14 Apr 2026
The IOPC said 11 officers are being investigated following the 2023 horror crash(Image: PA)
Eleven police officers are being investigated over claims they misled the bereaved families of two eight-year-old girls killed in a crash at their primary school.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau suffered devastating injuries when a Land Rover driven by Claire Freemantle crashed into end-of-term celebrations at The Study Preparatory School in July 2023. Ms Freemantle was not charged with any offence after claiming that she suffered an undiagnosed epileptic seizure and had no recollection of the crash in Wimbledon, south west London.
Four serving police officers, including a Commander and a Detective Chief Inspector, are now under investigation for possible gross misconduct over their handling of the initial investigation. The families told the BBC in a statement that they were “encouraged” that the Independent Office for Police Conduct had opened an inquiry.
“We have always sought the truth, and will continue to champion the pursuit of complete clarity on the events of that devastating day and subsequent actions taken by the Metropolitan Police,” they said. “The truth must come to light.”
READ MORE: Wimbledon schoolgirl death crash: Police release major update after woman rearrestedREAD MORE: Mum of girl killed in Wimbledon school crash ‘had to learn to walk again’ after horror smash
Selena Lau(Image: PA)
The IOPC said its inquiry will examine allegations that officers “provided false and misleading information to those affected”. The watchdog said in a statement on Tuesday that it is also investigating whether the treatment of those affected was “influenced by their race”.
The Crown Prosecution Service is currently considering charges after a serious case review last year allegedly uncovered significant flaws in the initial inquiry, including consideration of medical evidence which led to the case being dropped. One of the key issues was the diagnosis of epilepsy and a detailed consideration of the medical evidence.
The review is also understood to have been critical of alleged missed opportunities by officers in the Road Traffic Collisions Unit who are said to have failed to interview key witnesses at the scene about the driver’s behaviour in the immediate aftermath. The case was then reopened and led by detective superintendent from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
Nuria’s parents told the BBC they hoped the IOPC investigation would shed light on how the Met had “failed” them.
Her mother, Smera Chohan, said she wanted to know why such a horrific incident had not resulted in a “competent and thorough investigation”. “I hope the IOPC will cover that,” she said. “I really want to understand why I have been treated so cruelly, unfairly and in an inhumane way. I would like the keepers of law, of the system, to come and tell me.”
Smera, who is now facing her fifth surgery on her legs after she was badly injured in the same incident while having tea on the school lawn, said she wanted to know when a charging decision would be made. I am not asking for any favouritism, any leeway or any sympathy. I’m just saying ‘do it right’. It’s been left hanging for three years and that isn’t right.”
Nuria Sajjad(Image: PA)
Sajjad Butt, Nuria’s father, told the BBC: “We are deeply concerned – the CPS has left us in the dark. “As the organisation that is supposed to move towards justice for victims, it seems rather unwilling to engage with victims. The last time we were treated unfairly, we know that now, and we’re concerned that that’s going to happen again.
“The system is broken – the system is supposed to protect victims and we are not protected. We have been left out in the cold.”
The CPS contacted the family to arrange a meeting a few hours after the BBC approached the CPS for a response.
The IOPC is investigating claims that officers ‘provided false and misleading information'(Image: Getty Images)
The families marked the girls’ 11th birthdays last month. Sajjad said: “I felt horrific shame sitting with Nuria at her grave all day on 20 March, her 11th birthday, because I can’t say to her or anyone why she’s there.
“I do not know right now why my daughter died. There is no answer here. As a parent, I feel the deepest, deepest level of shame that I cannot stand by her and say I’ve done right by her.
“We are trying so hard, but we are battling a system with immense challenges and we will keep battling.”
The families said in a joint statement: “On the 6th of July 2023, our lives were irreparably shattered by a cruel tragedy.
“The past 33 months have been incredibly difficult for everyone affected including those who lost family, were seriously injured or witnessed the horrific incident, and we are still trying to come to terms with what happened on that fateful day.
“We have always maintained that the initial investigation was flawed. When the Crown Prosecution Service took the decision for no further action against the driver on the 26th of June 2024, we asserted that the original investigation was poor, and we were unconvinced that the investigation was conducted thoroughly.”
The CPS said: “After careful consideration of all the evidence and material provided by the police as part of this reinvestigation, and upon receipt of advice from counsel on 7 April, we have concluded that there are some further factors we must consider before a decision on charge can be reached.
“We appreciate the ongoing distress any delay may cause and are committed to making a final decision as soon as possible. Our thoughts remain with the families of Nuria and Selena and all those impacted by this tragic incident.”
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau and all those who were affected by the tragic incident in July 2023.
“We are investigating complaints made against 11 Met Police officers over their handling of the initial investigation into the road traffic incident, in which the two children sadly died and multiple other people were injured at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon
“We began our investigation in August 2025 following a referral from the Met Police of complaints made on behalf of individuals who were affected by the incident.
“The complaints relate to concerns about the standard of the investigation, including its management and direction, the conduct of the investigation team, and their engagement with the victims. We are also investigating allegations that Met officers provided false and misleading information to those affected and whether the officers’ treatment of those affected was influenced by their race.
“We have now served notices advising four serving officers, whose ranks are commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and detective constable, and a former detective inspector, that their conduct is being investigated at the level of gross misconduct.
“Two detective constables are being investigated at misconduct level.
“Our investigation is ongoing and should any further conduct issues be identified then officers will be served notices.”