Cynthia Jarrett
Jamaica-born Cynthia Leonora Jarrett, 49, was a warm, friendly and much-loved member of her Tottenham community in north London.
The mother of five had a heart attack and died on 5 October 1985 during a police search at her home. Her daughter Patricia, who was at home during the raid, stated that an officer had pushed Cynthia over.
Cynthia’s death led to widespread anger. On 6 October, a peaceful demonstration took place outside Tottenham police station. Later, uprisings erupted following a council meeting that evening on the Broadwater Farm estate.
A jury inquest into Cynthia's death ruled it an 'accidental death'. The coroner directed them to return this verdict only if they were sure that DC Randall had pushed Mrs Jarrett. No officers were ever charged with her death. But people continued to campaign and the Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign was set up in response to police actions in the aftermath.
In 1986, the Broadwater Farm Inquiry, chaired by Anthony Gifford, strongly criticised the police over their actions during the Broadwater Farm disturbances, calling out "racist and insensitive policing".
'UNFORGIVABLE' is the word many people are using about the manner of the PCA Report's publication. The readers of the Mail On Sunday learned of the fate of the Jarrett family's complaint before the Jarrett family. The shape of the PCA's future coat of arms is now becoming clear: a weasel and a mole rampant, supporting a collander.
INQUEST Bulletin 1986
