A police officer has been suspended after a video apparently showing a man being kicked as he lay on the floor at Manchester Airport went viral and sparked a protest on Wednesday.
A crowd formed outside Rochdale Police Station late on Wednesday night after footage seemingly showing a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer kick and stamp on the head of a man who was face down on the floor was circulated on social media.
The video, said to have been filmed at Manchester Airport’s terminal two on Tuesday, also appeared to show the officer strike a second man.
GMP said three of their officers had been assaulted, including a female police constable who suffered a broken nose.
It added that four men had been arrested over the incident.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called for “calm” following the incident and met with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, a GMP spokesman said: “Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, GMP has suspended a police officer from all duties.
“A referral has now been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for a full independent investigation.
“We understand the deep concerns that have been widely raised with us, and will continue to meet and discuss these feelings with Greater Manchester residents and elected representatives, whilst this independent investigation takes place.”
Asked about the video, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’ve seen it myself. I understand that concern.
“There has now been the suspension of one police officer this morning and the home secretary is meeting the mayor of Manchester to discuss this as we speak now.”
The force had initially said on Wednesday the video was being “assessed” by its professional standards department, later saying an officer had been removed from operational duties.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates promised a “thorough and robust” independent investigation.
She said body-worn video and CCTV footage had been secured and the watchdog would be working to provide answers “as quickly as we can.”
Police said the approximately 200-person protest on Wednesday night ended “without incident.”
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh said he is meeting with the family involved on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, Mr. Waugh added: “The police have said that while trying to arrest a suspect, three of their officers were attacked.
“They said that one officer suffered a broken nose and all three needed hospital treatment.
“Our armed police face a very difficult job every day, and will themselves expect the highest standards of conduct from their officers in carrying out that vital duty to protect all of us.
Police ‘Understand Concern’
According to local media, some protesters let off fireworks outside the police station.GMP Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said: “We understand the immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel about our response and fully respect their right to demonstrate their views peacefully.
“We have already referred our actions to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and will be in further discussions with them today.”
The force has said the officers were responding to reports of an altercation between members of the public at the airport.
Mr. Chaudhry added: “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.”
Two men were arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of an emergency worker, affray, and obstructing police, and two were held on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker, he said.
Ms. Cooper said it is “extremely important” that an investigation into the footage is able to happen “swiftly” and “thoroughly,” and expressed “deep concern” over the incident.
