Police Watchdog Called in After Hanwell Arrest

---

Man critical after incident on Saturday morning

The police watchdog is to investigate how a 56-year-old comic book artist sustained critical head injuries while he was being arrested in Hanwell.

A police officer received stab wounds during the incident.

The injured man has been identified as Brett Ewins, who worked on titles including Judge Dredd and Bad Company.

Two PCs had been called to reports of a man shouting through the night and were allegedly attacked after they went into a house in Cowper Road.

Police arrived en masse to the scene.

Local resident Jane Salisbury @GothicBlue witnessed the activity and wrote on the social network site twitter: " Whole road is blocked off at corner of Cowper and Dryden. Doesn't look good.

'' 11 police cars 2 vans 1 paramedic car and one ambulance one helicopter. Still can't stop shaking.''

Residents said police investigators were asking neighbours about what they saw.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission spokesman said Saturday's incident has been referred to them.

Mr Ewins remains in hospital in a critical condition, police said.

The injured officer has now left hospital but will have to return for further treatment.

IPCC Commissioner Deborah Glass said: "A man is in a serious condition in hospital after a struggle with police officers, during which an officer was also injured.

"While the police are investigating the injury to their officer, it is right that we examine whether the man's present condition is as a result of his contact with police."

 

16th January 2012