Parents Awarded £20k Damages for Unlawful Arrest Over WhatsApp Messages

Unlawful Arrest and Damages Awarded

• 🎯 Hertfordshire Constabulary has admitted to the unlawful arrest of parents Maxi Allan and Rosalyn Lavine.
• 💰 The couple has been awarded £20,000 in damages and legal costs for the incident.
• ⚖️ The police force accepted liability, stating that while they had reasonable suspicion based on a complainant's report, they lacked the necessary evidence for the arrest.

Background of the Complaint

• 📱 The situation originated from messages shared in a private WhatsApp group among parents of approximately 12 people, which was not officially connected to the school.
• 🏫 Maxi Allan, a former school governor, had discussed concerns about the recruitment process for a new head teacher within this group.
• 🚫 Following the sharing of these messages, the parents were banned from the school premises and communication with the school.

Pursuit of Justice and Resolution

• 🗣️ The parents attempted to resolve the issue through the school's internal complaints process, but felt it was ineffective as the school marked its own homework.
• 🚶‍♀️ They ultimately decided to remove their daughter from the school five days before their arrest, prioritizing her well-being.
• 🤝 While the police admitted liability and paid damages, they have not issued an apology, which the parents do not expect.
• 🔑 The primary goal for the parents was the admission of liability, recognizing that the arrest was a serious mishandling of the situation.

Current Status and Police Statement

• 🏫 The family has since moved their daughter to a different school, where she is doing well, and have had no further contact with the original school.
• 📰 The Times reported that Hertfordshire police conceded the arrest was wrongful but not the investigation itself, stating it was inappropriate to comment further.
• 🔍 The police force's statement indicated that no officer misconduct was found, but the legal test for the necessity of the arrest was not met.