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A mum from Ramsgate has hit out at the Metropolitan Police following allegations officers posed for "selfies" next to the bodies of her two dead daughters.
Sisters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, are believed to have been stabbed to death by a stranger at Fryent Country Park in Wembley, London, in the early hours of June 6.
No one is yet to be charged with their murder but two police officers have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
It follows claims they had taken "non-official" and "inappropriate" photographs of the crime scene.
The two officers were arrested on Monday by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
They have since been bailed to return pending further enquiries. Both have been suspended from duty.
Senior Officers from the Met and the IOPC visited the parents of the victims, Chris and Wilhelmina Smallman, from Ramsgate, to inform them of these serious allegations and to confirm it is now subject to an independent investigation.
Retired clergywoman Wilhelmina, known as Mina, told the BBC the pictures "dehumanised" her daughters.
“This has taken our grief to another place,” she said.
The 63-year-old hit out at the "toxic" met culture, adding: “If ever we needed an example of how toxic it has become, those police officers felt so safe, so untouchable, that they felt they could take photographs of dead black girls and send them on.
“It speaks volumes of the ethos that runs through the Metropolitan Police.”
Scotland Yard said its directorate of professional standards was told last week about allegations that “non-official and inappropriate photographs” had been taken at the murder scene.
The IOPC said the pictures were allegedly “shared with a small number of others”, adding that the Met was “handling matters involving those members of the public who may have received those images”.
“It speaks volumes of the ethos that runs through the Metropolitan Police.”
Nicole and Bibaa, who lived in Harrow and Brent respectively, were part of a group of people that congregated in the park after 7pm on Friday, June 5, to celebrate the older sister's birthday.
Police say the pair were the only ones who remained at the park at midnight.
They were reported missing late on Saturday, after failing to return home. No one has been arrested for their murder.
But Mrs Smallman has claimed the police did not immediately respond to initial reports the sisters were missing and co-ordinated her own search operation they weekend they died.
She told the BBC: “I knew instantly why they didn’t care. They didn’t care because they looked at my daughter’s address and thought they knew who she was.
“A black woman who lives on a council estate.”
Commander Paul Brogden said: “I am horrified and disgusted by the nature of these allegations; a sentiment which will be shared by colleagues throughout the organisation.
"If true, these actions are morally reprehensible and anyone involved will be robustly dealt with. I am limited in terms of being able to comment further about the matter at this time in order not to compromise the IOPC investigation.
"This deeply disturbing information will no doubt have created additional trauma for a family who are already grieving the devastating loss of two loved ones.
"I can only start to imagine the impact of this; and I’d like to sincerely apologise to them for this further burden.
“I know that the wider community will share our shock and repulsion at these allegations and whilst our focus remains with Bibaa and Nicole’s family we are also listening to the concerns our communities and key stakeholders will want to raise about these allegations.”
Anyone with information about the attack is urged to call police on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.
