UK police investigated after video of violent arrest at Manchester Airport

This content was published on July 25, 2024 - 18:01

2 minutes

By William James

LONDON (Reuters) -A video showing a British police officer kick and stamp on a man’s head during an arrest at Manchester Airport in northern England has led to accusations of police brutality and a formal investigation.

Police suspended one of the officers involved and referred the actions to an independent police complaints watchdog after the video, filmed by an onlooker on Tuesday, was posted on social media platforms.

It showed a chaotic scene in an airport car park, in which several officers armed with tasers restrained two suspects. The two men were arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of an emergency worker, affray and obstructing police.

One man was kicked and stamped on by an officer as he lay face-down on the floor. The second appeared to be struck in the head by an officer.

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) statement said the video showed “an event that is truly shocking, and that people are rightly extremely concerned about”.

“The use of such force in an arrest is an unusual occurrence and one that we understand creates alarm,” it said.

It said police had responded to reports of an assault, and three officers were attacked during their response with a woman officer suffering a broken nose.

The alleged assault on the police was not included in the videos shared online.

A lawyer representing the men accused the police of brutality and said a scan showed one had a cyst on the brain and his medical condition had worsened overnight.

Police said the men had been bailed and did not comment on their medical condition.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had seen the video and understood the public’s concern.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it was investigating.

Protesters gathered on Wednesday outside a police station in a nearby town. One video online showed at least 100 people chanting “Shame on you GMP”.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Toby Chopra, Bernadette Baum and Alexandra Hudson)