The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to investigate the arrest and detention of a teenager with Asperger Syndrome.
The investigation follows a complaint from the mother of an 18- year- old who was arrested twice in 48 hours by police in Stourbridge.
He was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage at his home address at 9.45am on July 2005 and was taken to Stourbridge Police Station. He was then provided with a white paper suit by the police and was released without charge at 4.15pm.
The following day at 8.30am he was arrested again, this time under suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in Stourbridge town centre.
At the time of the second arrest he was still wearing the white paper suit. He was admitted to Bushey Fields Hospital under the Mental Health Act.
The case was referred to the IPCC after the youth's mother complained over the manner in which West Midlands Police treated her son received during his arrest, detention and release from custody.
John Crawley, IPCC Commissioner for the West Midlands, explained that it was difficult for officers to deal with particular incidents, especially when there are communication problems at hand.
He said: "Individuals with specific communication needs can be misunderstood by police and other professionals, and for the police there are specific safeguards under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act for handling the needs of such vulnerable individuals.
"In a bid to assist the investigation, the IPCC has offered to meet with the family to hear their concerns and to explain the IPCC's role."
