'A moral victory' Malcolm stands down from hunger strike protest

Hunger striker Malcolm Potts has stood down from his protest outside Aylesbury Police Station.

Mr Potts was ten days into his sit-in at the station, where he lived in a van and survived on just a can of coke a day.

But after talks with Thames Valley Police officials Mr Potts has decided to stand down, saying that he feels his concerns are going to be addressed.

Mr Potts made the stand after claiming that officers had been heavy handed with him during an arrest in 2012 for which he was never charged.

He said: “I am satisfied that the police are taking my concerns seriously, but I can’t sit out here while those concerns are processed.

It’s a bit of a moral victory I have stood up to them and they have said that the will look at things again.

“I have had lots of message of support, and I would like to thank everyone.”

Ch Supt Steve Hockin of Thames Valley Police, said: “We are pleased Mr Potts feels he has been able to positively exercise his legal right to protest.

“Mr Potts made a complaint to Thames Valley Police in 2013 about his arrest in 2012 when he was arrested by Thames Valley Police on behalf of Hertfordshire Constabulary.

“We take all complaints such as this very seriously and Mr Potts’ complaint of excessive force was investigated fully. It was found that there was no case to answer.

“During his protest Mr Potts has continued to be in dialogue with TVP and has been invited to provide further clarification of the details of his claim surrounding his arrest. Should Mr Potts now chose to write to the Force outlining his concerns further enquiries will be made and he will be updated as to the outcome.

“We have been in communication with Mr Potts for a number of months and facilitated his protest while considering his wellbeing, the prevention and detection of crime, maintaining the peace and ensuring the police station and services continued to be available to the public.

“We also worked with health professionals to minimise the risk of harm to Mr Potts during his protest.”

Related topics: