PROTESTERS gathered outside a police station last night after shocking footage showed an officer kicking a man in the face at Manchester Airport.
At least 100 people demonstrated outside Rochdale Police Station, with an officer “removed from operational duties” after the harrowing footage was shared online.
Story Picture AgencyProtesters gathered outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday[/caption]
Story Picture AgencyAn estimated 100 people demonstrated[/caption]
Footage showed a policeman stamping on someone’s head at Manchester Airport
The clip has shocked and appalled people online
Chanting “shame on you”, the protesters accused cops of institutional racism, footage from the protest online appears to show.
One of the protesters had told the crowd they were “no longer going to settle” for “police brutality”, according to The Manchester Evening News.
The station is around 25 miles from the airport.
The video is said to have been filmed at the airport’s terminal two on Tuesday.
Greater Manchester Police said its officers had been called at 8.25pm following reports of a fight.
The force said while trying to arrest a suspect, three officers were attacked and punched to the ground.
One officer suffered a broken nose and all three needed hospital treatment.
Four men were arrested for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
GMP referred itself to watchdog the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), which said it would assess the referral “and decide what further action is required”.
The video shows an officer, with a taser in his hand, appearing to kick and then stamp on the head of a man who is lying face down on the floor, with a woman kneeling beside him.
A second man also appears to be struck by the officer.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said today: “A protest held last night outside Rochdale Police Station about our response at Manchester Airport has concluded safely, without incident.
“We understand the immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel about our response and fully respect their right to demonstrate their views peacefully.
“We have already referred our actions to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and will be in further discussions with them today.
“We have spent the evening listening to community feedback and will continue to engage with communities and elected members to maintain strong partnership links and understand local views.”
Describing the video as “truly shocking” vision “that people are rightly extremely concerned about”, he earlier confirmed the male officer has been “removed from operational duties” and the force had made a voluntary referral of its response to the IOPC.
He added: “”During our response, three officers were assaulted.
“One female officer suffered a broken nose and the other officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries which required hospital treatment.”
GMP acknowledged concerns about “conduct within the video” and said firearms officers had been responding to reports of an altercation between members of the public.
A force spokesman said: “Whilst attempting to arrest one of the suspects of the earlier altercation, three officers were subject to a violent assault, where they were punched to the ground.
“A female officer suffered a broken nose and all three were taken to hospital for treatment.
“As the attending officers were firearms officers, there was a clear risk during this assault of their firearms being taken from them.
“Four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
“We acknowledge the concerns of the conduct within the video and our Professional Standards Directorate are assessing this.”
Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson posted on X, formerly Twitter: “I am aware of disturbing footage from an incident at Manchester Airport this afternoon and understand the public concern it has prompted.
“I have asked for a full update from Greater Manchester Police.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said he had raised concerns about the airport incident with the deputy chief constable.
He said: “I have seen the disturbing video footage circulating of a GMP officer at Manchester Airport and recognise the widespread and deep concern this has caused in Greater Manchester and beyond.
“The deputy mayor and I have raised these concerns with the deputy chief constable.”
Twitter/Greater Manchester PoliceGreater Manchester Police have released multiple statements about the incident[/caption]
ASPPolice said the protest concluded ‘without incident’[/caption]
The officer can be seen pointing a taser
He then appears to kick out at a second person
A female officer holds down the first suspect Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
