New South Wales police say they will conduct an internal review of an arrest which left a 14-year-old Aboriginal boy hospitalised, after footage appeared to show him drifting out of consciousness while in handcuffs.
The 14-year-old and another 13-year-old boy were arrested by police in the northern rivers in relation to an ongoing probe into a series of break and enters.
The video, shared on social media, showed him sitting on the ground back-to-back in handcuffs with another teenager. The 14-year-old’s face appeared to be covered with blood.
In a statement, NSW police said three teenagers had been arrested on 11 September as part of an ongoing investigation into a number of “serious property offences” around Coraki, south of Lismore.
Police said the arrest occurred after officers allegedly spotted “four people armed with housebreaking implements, including a crowbar and a piece of timber”.
“Officers approached the group who immediately fled upon sighting police,” a police spokesperson said.
“A foot pursuit commenced, with two teenage boys – aged 13 and 14 – being arrested a short distance away.”
Following the arrest, the 14-year-old was taken to Lismore Base hospital “for treatment to a laceration to his head”.
“He was later released and taken to Lismore police station, while the younger boy was also taken to the same police station,” the spokesperson said.
The teenager’s family allege he suffered head injuries during the arrest. Footage – taken after the arrest – appears to show the boy’s family urging him to stay awake as he drifts out of consciousness.
A police officer attempts to provide assistance but is told to stay away from the boy’s family.
