The police watchdog is investigating 11 Metropolitan Police officers for their handling of the inquiry into a Wimbledon crash that killed two schoolgirls in 2023.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said they are investigating four serving officers and one former detective constable for possible gross misconduct.
The IOPC began its investigation in August 2025, and the inquiry is looking into 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”.
It would also cover management and direction of the investigation, as well as the conduct of the investigation team and their engagement with the victims.
The four serving officers being investigated for gross misconduct hold the ranks of commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and detective constable, while two detective constables are being investigated at misconduct level .
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, died after a Land Rover driven by Claire Freemantle crashed into a tea party on the lawn of The Study Preparatory School in July 2023.
Freemantle was not charged as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said she had suffered an undiagnosed epileptic seizure, but the girls' families have maintained the investigation was flawed.
The families said they were encouraged that the IOPC had opened an inquiry, telling the BBC: "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. The truth must come to light."
The Met reopened its investigation into the crash in October 2024 after an internal review, after which Fremantle was re-arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in January 2025, and interviewed by police again in July 2025.
In 2024, Freemantle expressed her “deepest sorrow” but said she had “no recollection of what took place”.
The CPS received a full file of evidence from the Met Police on March 17 but have confirmed that there were further factors to consider before a decision on a charge could be made.
Cdr Charmain Brenyah, who leads the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “Our thoughts remain with Nuria and Selena's families, as well as everyone who has been impacted by this terrible tragedy.
“We understand this prolonged process has compounded their grief and suffering. It is right that our initial handling of this incident be independently scrutinised, and we will provide every assistance to the IOPC as their investigation continues.”
The BBC spoke to Nuria’s parents at their home in Wimbledon, where they said that they hoped the IOPC investigation would shed light on how the Met had "failed" them.
Nuria's mother, Smera Chohan, said she wanted to know why such an incident had not merited a "competent and thorough investigation".
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."
Ms Chohan is facing a fifth surgery after injuring her legs in the same incident on the school lawn, and said she wanted to know when a 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," she added.
Nuria's father, Sajjad Butt, 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."
Last month marked both girls' 11th birthdays, a difficult moment for both families.
Mr Butt 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 CPS said in a statement: "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: “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.
“All officers served notices will be interviewed in due course. The serving of notices does not mean that proceedings will necessarily follow.”
