BTP to launch law bursary for British African students to make amends for corrupt officer

The scheme, to be launched next year, follows an apology from the BTP to a group of men who were wrongfully convicted in 1972 of attempting to rob an officer – Det Sgt Derek Ridgewell, head of the force’s anti-mugging squad.

He had been linked to a number of miscarriages of justice against young black men and was later convicted of stealing mailbags.

In December 2019, four men, who were known as the Oval Four, had their convictions for stealing handbags on the London Underground quashed.

Another group of the corrupt detective’s victims, the Stockwell Six, had their convictions, from 1972, quashed on appeal.

The force has said it will now use the money from the Proceeds of Crime Act to fund a bursary to help a British African undertake a law degree.

Lucy D’Orsi, chief constable of BTP, said: “Last year we issued an apology for the trauma suffered by the British African community through the criminal actions of former police officer Derek Ridgewell, who worked at BTP in the 1960s and 1970s.

“His inexcusable actions led to the conviction of innocent people and do not define the BTP today. It is important to do more than simply apologise and commit to learning from our past.

“We want to bring about real and meaningful change – improving community trust and confidence, whilst investing in future talent. This bursary aims to ensure that British African communities are better represented within the UK judicial system, which will benefit us all.”