Lancashire police officer removed from frontline after suspect 'kicked in head' during arrest

Warning: Some readers may find the footage contained in this article distressing.

A police officer has been removed from frontline duties after a video emerged appearing to show a suspect being kicked in the head during an arrest.

The footage, reportedly recorded on 8 March, was captured by a passer-by and shows a man being dragged out of a car outside a Spar shop in Oswaldtwistle.

A marked Lancashire Constabulary car can be seen alongside the vehicle.

Once the man is on the ground, one of the three police officers appears to be shown kicking him in the face, before slapping him several times.

Footage appears to show a police officer kicking a suspect in the head.

The three police officers; two men and a woman, then lift the handcuffed suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, to his feet.

The force say the video is being looked into by its professional standards department, and the officer has been removed from operational roles "until the matter is investigated".

A spokesperson from Lancashire Constabulary said: "We are aware of the video, and it is being investigated by our professional standards department.

"The officer has been removed from operational roles until the matter is investigated. The suspect was arrested for drink driving."

Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.