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Cheshire police have issued a written apology to Victor Anichebe.
The Everton forward was stopped by police as he was looking in a jewellery shop window in Knutsford on Wednesday.
A friend of Anichebe was then placed in handcuffs following police suspicions that the duo were part of a series of violent robberies targetting jewellers in the area.
The Nigerian striker is currently on crutches after undergoing knee ligament surgery on an injury picked up against Newcastle last month.
A statement released by Cheshire police on Thursday read:
"Having now reviewed in detail what occurred between the officers and the two men whom they believed to have been acting suspiciously, it is now apparent that, while the situation was heated, the actions of the police officer in applying handcuffs to one of the men was less than a proportionate reaction to the requirements of the situation.
"The officer has been advised regarding this, and an offer of apology extended to the two men.
"For some time Cheshire Constabulary have been responding to a series of violent robberies targetting jewellers in Knutsford and in the wider Cheshire area.
"We have robust plans in place to respond swiftly to any report of any suspicious activity at or in the vicinity of jewellers' premises.
"As part of that plan, local CCTV operators actively and routinely monitor shopping areas and jewellers' premises, and on this occasion, identified what appeared to be two men acting suspiciously outside a jewellers store on King Street, Knutsford.
"Police attended the location within minutes and upon speaking with the two men, a heated dialogue developed in an attempt to ascertain exactly what the two persons were doing outside the jewellers premises.
"During the course of this exchange, an officer took the decision to restrain one of the two men concerned by applying handcuffs. It was subsequently ascertained that there was no criminal conduct on behalf of the two men concerned and they were not involved in any criminal activity.
"It is only right and proper that the Police act expeditiously in protecting vulnerable premises such as jewellery shops. We seek in all cases to ask for co-operation from the public in respect of not only reporting suspicious activity in or around such areas, but also their co-operation if an officer feels it is necessary and appropriate to make enquiries into such matters."
The Everton striker subsequently issued his own statement - click here.
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Neil Freeman
The same thing happened to me many years ago ( I'm 70 now ) I was standing in a shop doorway near a bus stop waiting for a bus because it was pouring down with rain and this stupid bobby acused me and my mate of trying to break into the shop ( it was a pet shop ), he must have thought we wanted to pinch some bird seed so we could fly instead of waiting for the bus. Well done Victor for keeping you head and standing up for yourself.
Agree with Neil?
Thursday 12th Mar 2009 21:58