A video showing a British police officer kick and stamp on a man’s head during an arrest at Manchester Airport in northern England sparked a protest outside a police station late on Wednesday.
Police suspended one of the officers involved and referred the actions to an independent police complaints watchdog after the video, filmed by an onlooker, was posted on social media platforms and attracted criticism.
It showed a chaotic scene in an airport parking lot, in which several officers armed with tasers restrained two suspects. The events preceding this scene were not included in the video. One man was kicked and stamped on by an officer as he lay face down on the floor. The second man also appeared to be struck in the head by an officer.
A lawyer representing the men accused the police of brutality and said a scan showed one had a cyst on the brain and his medical condition had worsened overnight.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the men had been bailed and did not comment on their medical condition.
In a statement, the police force said the video showed “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.”
The "unit of white officers" used a level of force against the group of Asian people that was "totally excessive," former chief superintendent of London’s Metropolitan Police, Dal Babu, said in an interview with BBC Radio 4.
"I think racism played a significant part in this," Babu said.
He added that he was further concerned that Manchester Police had put forward a senior Asian officer to address the public, rather than Chief Constable Stephen Watson, calling it "cynical attempt" to signal that they were dealing with the issue.
"You can count on one hand the number of senior Asian officers in the Greater Manchester Police," Babu said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had seen the video and understood the public’s concern, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it was investigating.
Police had responded to reports of an assault, and three officers were assaulted during their response, according to police. The officers, including one female officer whose nose was broken, required hospital treatment, the force added.
An officer was suspended on Thursday, having initially only been removed from operational duties.
The two men were arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of an emergency worker, affray (fighting in public), and obstructing police.
The incident sparked a protest outside a police station in a nearby town. One video posted online showed a crowd of at least 100 people chanting “Shame on you GMP.”
Police, who have not provided any details about the identity of those arrested at the airport, said the protest concluded safely and without incident.
“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,” they said in a subsequent statement.
