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GMP issues statement addressing video of officer kicking man’s head at Manchester Airport
"The use of such force in an arrest is an unusual occurrence."
Emily Sergeant -
25th July 2024 
A police officer has been “removed from operational duties” following an incident which occurred at Manchester Airport earlier this week.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says it is “aware” of a video which has been widely circulating on social media appearing to show one of its officers kicking and stamping on a man’s head while he is on the ground as another officer attempts to detain him following what has been referred to as an “earlier altercation”.
The police force has now issued formal statement addressing the video – which has been shared and viewed thousands of times online.
The incident referred to as the subject of the video occurred on Tuesday 23 July.
We are aware of a video that is circulating online which shows our firearms officers responding to an incident at Manchester Airport.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 24, 2024
Please find our full statement below. pic.twitter.com/XK6uo5bxdk
GMP says it was called out to an “altercation” between members of the public in Manchester Airport‘s Terminal 2 at around 8:25pm, before the officers were the subjected to a “violent assault” as they tried to make an arrest.
During the altercation, GMP says there was a risk of the armed police officers’ “firearms being taken”, and following the incident, it has been confirmed that a female officer was left with a broken nose, and other officers were hospitalised.
Four men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of affray and assault of emergency service workers.
The force has confirmed that its Professional Standards Directorate is assessing the video footage, and that a referral has also been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Following the chaotic footage caught on camera beginning to reach the eyes of the wider public online, GMP’s Assistant Chief Constable, Wasim Chaudhry, addressed the nature of the incident in a formal statement, and confirmed the measures being taken by the force going forward.
We know that our communities are rightly concerned by video footage, which is being circulated online, that shows armed police officers responding to an incident at Manchester Airport .
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 24, 2024
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry has issued a statement. pic.twitter.com/xdHmUYeobL
ACC Chaudhry’s statement reads in full: “We know that a film of an incident at Manchester Airport that is circulating widely shows 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.
“In advance of what is shown in the footage available, we were called to reports of an assault at Terminal 2 Manchester Airport at 8:25pm on Tuesday 23 July. The alleged suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park and officers attended the location to arrest him.
“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.
“One male officer has been removed from operational duties, and we are making a voluntary referral of our policing response to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.
Read more:
- Manchester Airport reveals shocking list of 400 items confiscated by security in just one morning
- Two police officers assaulted by ‘suspected drug dealer’ in Piccadilly Gardens
- GMP makes public appeal after ‘violent assault’ in Manchester Arndale
“Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of emergency worker, affray, and obstructing police.
“Two other men have also been arrested on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
