Police officer filmed 'stamping on man's head' at Manchester Airport

Claire Hannah has the latest on a video circulating online of a police officer kicking and stamping on a man's head in Manchester Airport.

An officer has been removed from frontline duty after a video emerged of a man being kicked and stamped on during an arrest at Manchester Airport.

Footage has been widely circulated on social media of the incident on Wednesday, which showed a firearms officer kicking a man in the face while he was on the ground, before stamping on his head.

It later shows the same officer, who was accompanied by two other officers, armed with Tasers, striking another man on the back of his head.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed a female police officer sustained a broken nose as three officers were subject to a "violent assault" in the incident at Terminal 2, in the run-up to the footage being taken.

It also said there had been a risk of the armed officers' "firearms being taken".

In the footage, a male officer can be seen aiming a Taser at a man as he is lying on the ground.

Onlookers can then be heard shouting before the officer kicks and stamps on the man's head.

A person is heard yelling "move back" before a female officer then appears to turn her taser and aim it at other people.

A number of voices can be heard pleading "stop kicking people", with others shouting expletives, as a number of officers surround the man on the ground.

Seconds later, an officer is then seen walking over to another man before pointing his Taser at him. As he moves onto the ground on his knees and with his arms in the air, the officer then proceeds to kick him.

Four men had been arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on emergency service workers.

The clip, shared widely on social media, has received thousands of views online.

GMP said they have 'acknowledged the concerns' regarding conduct and said the incident is being assessed by the Professional Standards Directorate.

Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said: “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.

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“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.

“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.”

In an earlier statement, the force said: "Officers were called to reports of an altercation between members of the public in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.

"Whilst attempting to arrest one of the suspects of the earlier altercation, three officers were subject to 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".

Home Secretary minister Diana Johnson said: "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."

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