Overview
- Force lawyers acknowledged the legal criteria for arrest were not met, formally accepting liability for wrongful detention.
- The couple were arrested at home by six officers in front of their nine-year-old daughter on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications and causing a nuisance, then held for several hours.
- After a five-week investigation, Hertfordshire Constabulary concluded there was insufficient evidence and took no further action.
- Police maintain there was reasonable suspicion to investigate and say no officer misconduct was found, despite admitting the arrests themselves were unjustified.
- The case followed a school ban after critical WhatsApp messages and frequent emails that parents say related to their disabled daughter’s needs, drawing condemnation from civil-liberties advocates.