A police officer has been caught on camera kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the ground at Manchester Airport. The male officer was holding a Taser over the man before kicking him twice while other officers shouted commands at onlookers. Reports suggest that the man was lying face down on the ground during the attack. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) issued a statement saying that firearms officers had been attacked while attempting to arrest someone following a fight at Terminal 2 on Tuesday. The GMP has referred itself to the police watchdog.
The video of the attack has prompted widespread outrage. A crowd of hundreds of people protested outside the police station in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday evening in response. One of the protesters spoke out, saying they would no longer settle for police brutality. The Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry released a statement in response, noting that the protest outside Rochdale Police Station had concluded safely without incident.
The GMP confirmed that one officer had been removed from operational duties over the events and voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has also issued a statement, saying that it would assess the referral made by the GMP and decide on the appropriate action.
Reports suggest that firearms officers had been called to the airport following reports of an altercation by members of the public. Three police officers were “punched to the ground,” leading to a “violent assault” when they attempted to arrest one of the suspects. Three officers were taken to hospital, with one female officer suffering a broken nose. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assault, assault on an emergency worker, affray, and obstructing police, while two others men were also arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on an emergency worker.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called the video “disturbing,” acknowledging that it has caused widespread and deep concern. Andy George, president of the National Black Police Association, also called it “difficult to watch.” The Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson has demanded a full update from the GMP, saying that she is aware of the public concern the incident has prompted
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