A British policeman has been removed from frontline duty after multiple videos emerged on social media showing officers beating at least three people inside Manchester Airport in an incident the city’s own force has labeled “truly shocking.” The viral videos, in which one officer could be seen stomping on a man’s head, are the latest to spark a public and political argument in Britain over whether violence used by police was proportionate or justified.
Greater Manchester Police said the footage on social media showed a confrontation that began after three officers were injured in a “violent assault,” including one female officer who suffered a broken nose. The force added that the event seen in the videos was “truly shocking” and an “unusual occurrence,” voluntarily referring its response to Britain’s independent police watchdog.
The videos, which quickly went viral on social media, show disturbing scenes of police officers using force on individuals at the airport. One video depicts a man on the ground being kicked and stomped on by a police officer, while another man with his hands up is forcefully taken down by officers.
Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police released a statement outlining the events leading up to the videos. Police were called to Terminal 2 of the airport after reports of an assault. During the confrontation, three officers were injured, with one female officer sustaining a broken nose. Four men have been arrested for assaulting an emergency worker.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry acknowledged the public concern over the incident, stating that the use of such force in an arrest was unusual and alarming. A male officer involved in the incident has been removed from operational duties, and an independent review by the Independent Office of Police Conduct has been requested.
Protesters gathered outside the police headquarters in Rochdale to express their outrage over the incident. Politicians, including Mayor Andy Burnham and Home Office Minister Diana Johnson, condemned the assaults shown in the videos, while others, like Richard Tice of Reform UK, viewed the police actions as a response to a serious issue.
