Hundreds gather outside police station to protest officer kicking man
Crowds of people gathered outside a police station in a late-night protest over a video which appeared to show an officer kicking a man as he lay on the floor.
Demonstrators were reported to have shouted “GMP shame on you” as an estimated 200 people gathered outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday night at the protest, which police said concluded “without incident”.
It came after footage was shared on social media appearing to show a Greater Manchester Police officer kick and stamp on the head of a man who was lying face down on the floor, with a woman kneeling beside him.
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.
Police said three of their officers had been assaulted, including a female Pc who suffered a broken nose, and four men were arrested for affray and assaulting emergency service workers.
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh said he was due to meet with the family involved on Thursday.
He said: “The video footage of a Greater Manchester police officer kicking and stamping on a man in Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing.
“Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned. I have had it confirmed that the man arrested is a Rochdale resident and I hope to meet the family as soon as possible.
“I have expressed my concerns directly to the Assistant Chief Constable this evening and have been in touch with Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for policing of Greater Manchester.
“It’s right that the police officer concerned has been removed from duties and that this incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. I expect a thorough and swift investigation.”
On Thursday morning, Mr Waugh added to his statement, saying: “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.
“It’s important that both the investigation by the police and the investigation into the police conduct now gather the full facts.”
Fireworks
According to the Manchester Evening News, some protesters let off fireworks outside the police station and one told the crowd: “We’re no longer going to settle for this police brutality. We put our trust in the police and what do they do instead they inflict violence upon us when we surrender to them.”
In a statement released in the early hours of Thursday morning, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said: “A protest held last night outside Rochdale Police Station about our response at Manchester Airport has concluded safely, without incident.
“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 (IOPC) and will be in further discussions with them today.
“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.”
“Truly shocking”
Describing the video as “truly shocking”, he earlier confirmed the male officer has been “removed from operational duties”.
The force has said officers were responding to reports of an altercation between members of the public.
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.”
Amar Minhas, from Leeds, told the BBC he was coming through arrivals at the airport when he saw police officers approach a man, in his early 20s, and pin him up against a wall, before a fight broke out.
He described the man “throwing punches, he was tasered, and fell to the floor”, adding “that’s when the policeman kicked him”.
Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson posted on X, formerly Twitter: “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.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said he had raised concerns about the airport incident with the deputy chief constable.
He said: “I have seen the disturbing video footage circulating of a GMP officer at Manchester Airport and recognise the widespread and deep concern this has caused in Greater Manchester and beyond.
“The deputy mayor and I have raised these concerns with the deputy chief constable.”
