A 16-year-old boy arrested after reports of disorder in Ruislip has been freed without charge after police found no offences had been committed.
Officers were called to Field End Road in Ruislip at 10.59pm on Thursday, 5 November, following reports of disorder involving a large group of people.
The 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray but was de-arrested a short time later.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Officers followed up lines of enquiry and took witness statements, and no offences were identified.”
“The investigation has now been closed, pending further information.”
What being de-arrested means
Being de-arrested means a person who has been arrested is released after officers conclude there is no basis to keep them in custody. It is different from being released on bail or being charged: in this case, police say they found no offences had been committed, so there was nothing to charge the teenager with.
The boy, who is under 18, has not been named.
What affray is
Affray is a public order offence under the Public Order Act 1986. A person commits affray if they use or threaten unlawful violence towards another person, in a way that would cause someone of reasonable firmness at the scene to fear for their personal safety.
An arrest on suspicion of affray is not a finding that the offence took place — it means officers had reason to suspect it at the time. Here, the follow-up enquiries and witness statements led police to conclude no offence had been identified.
What happens now
The investigation has been closed, pending further information. That means the case is not being actively pursued, but it can be reopened if new information comes forward.
