WATCH: Campaigners stage ‘citizen’s arrest’ of ex-water boss

Environmental campaigners have confronted former South West Water chief executive Susan Davy at her workplace in London, claiming to have placed her under citizen's arrest over alleged criminal offences.

The campaigners, from the Citizen's Arrest Network (CAN), approached Ms Davy at around 11.30 am on Wednesday (November 11).

The confrontation took place at the offices of First Mile in High Holborn, where Ms Davy is now chief executive.

CAN said the group presented Ms Davy with a dossier alleging that she had committed the criminal offence of public nuisance during her time leading South West Water.

Footage released by the campaign group shows a campaigner telling Ms Davy: "Susan Davy, we're here to place you under citizen's arrest."

They continue: "We have evidence that whilst you're at South West Water you committed the serious indictable crime of public nuisance contrary to section 78 of the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022."

The campaigner also tells Ms Davy: "We have a dossier of evidence against you personally which we're going to give to the police for them to pass to the Crown Prosecution to instigate the charges of public nuisance."

The offence of intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance carries a maximum sentence of ten years' imprisonment.

CAN said police were called to the scene and arrived shortly afterwards.

According to the group, officers accepted the dossier but declined to arrest Ms Davy, instead saying that the allegations would be investigated.

However, the Metropolitan Police said officers attending the incident identified no offences.

A spokesperson for the MET said: "Police were called at around 11:40hrs on Wednesday, 11 November to reports of a protest at a business premises in High Holborn.

"No offences were identified by the officers who attended and no arrests were made by police. The group dispersed following police attendance."

The force did not confirm whether the dossier had been accepted or whether any further investigation would take place.

The confrontation follows years of criticism surrounding South West Water's environmental performance and its handling of the 2024 cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham.

The outbreak left thousands of households under boil-water notices after the parasite was detected in the local water supply.

South West Water has since pleaded guilty to a criminal offence relating to the outbreak.

During Ms Davy's leadership, the company also faced a £24 million enforcement package announced by water regulator Ofwat over wastewater failures.

However, regulatory action and criminal proceedings involving a company do not in themselves establish personal criminal liability for its executives.

In a statement on social media, CAN said: "We will continue to step up and stop these criminals – and make sure they understand that their actions have consequences."

A spokesperson for South West Water said: "We do not have a comment to offer on this matter."

Ms Davy and First Mile have been approached for comment.