A three-year-old boy was left in tears after over-zealous park police stopped him playing with a remote-controlled car in a park.
Idrees Waiyasil and his father, Hariz, were allegedly told they were breaking bylaws on Wednesday while spending time together in Battersea Park, in south-west London.
He claims officers in stab vests confronted him and his toddler over the use of their “mechanically propelled vehicles”, banned under park rules.
He told The Sun: “My son just burst into tears. I have nothing against the police but is this really the best use of their time? We weren’t causing a nuisance or annoying anyone.”
Idrees was playing with a small remote-controlled toy powered by two AA batteries. It was a miniature version of his father’s.
Mr Waiyasil claims he offered to put his car away if it meant Idrees could continue playing – but officers refused.
The father and son were on a private road used by cyclists and joggers and a sign on the barrier leading up to it read: ‘No unauthorised motor vehicles beyond this point’.
Wandsworth Council employs Parks and Events Police, who patrol the area. They are separate from the Metropolitan Police but have powers of arrest.
A council spokesman said officers may have considered the cars were causing a nuisance to others.