LEYTONSTONE: Mother of broken leg boy slams police

2:39pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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A MOTHER of a six-year-old boy whose leg was broken in a collision with a teenage pavement cyclist has claimed the police are still not taking the incident seriously nearly six months on.

Barclay Primary School pupil Humzah Mehmood was walking home along Canterbury Road, Leytonstone, on November 19 when three teenage cyclists went past on the pavement.

One of the bikes struck Humzah and narrowly missed his grandmother Sarah.

Humzah was taken to hospital and treated for a broken leg.

The police originally told Humzah's mother Nadia that they would not be taking the matter further, but following Guardian inquiries officers said they would re-open the investigation.

Six months later, they have still not interviewed the teenager who is suspected of causing Humzah's injuries.

Nadia Mehmood, 28, of Peterborough Road, said: "The police are not taking anything seriously at all. I keep calling them but nothing is happening."

The police needed a witness statement from Humzah's grandmother, who was visiting a sick relative in Pakistan until early February.

Officers interviewed her on April 14 but have still not questioned the teenager.

Mrs Mehmood said: "I just want justice for my son. If people are not punished for riding on the pavement then they will just get away with it all the time."

She added that Humzah still has nightmares about the incident. She said that a doctor has told her he may benefit from counselling.

She said: "He does not let go of my hand now when we are walking along the pavement and he does not like to be left on his own at night-time.

"He is not the same Humzah he used to be."

A Waltham Forest spokeswoman said that a case is being put together and police will ask the advice of the Crown Proscution Service before deciding whether to charge the teenager.

Cycling on footpaths is prohibited under the Highway Act 1835 and officers have the power to fine people for the offence.