A video shows two police officers attempting an arrest being kicked by a crowd, prompting one to draw his taser and shout ‘Get the fuck off me’
Two Metropolitan Police officers have been attacked by a crowd during an arrest in Hackney.
After being kicked one shouts “Get the fuck off me” and draws his taser.
The officers were trying to arrest a man for fighting in the McDonald’s branch, but struggled as a crowd turned on them. Cries of “stop it” and “fucking dickheads” can be heard as the policemen attempt to subdue the suspect, after being called to the restaurant in Hackney at 10.30pm on Monday.
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A video circulated on social media shows a member of the crowd rush in and kick one of the policemen. Another surges forward but stops when an officer pulls his taser and screams “Get the fuck off me.”
One 30-year-old was arrested at the scene for assaulting a police officer and the force is looking for the other suspects. It said one officer was treated for an ankle injury, the other for cuts to his face, and that the stun gun was not fired.
A second video has since emerged, showing the moments before the arrest.
Hackney police tweeted: “If the ‘tough man’ who feels it’s acceptable to kick my colleague in the back, not once but twice when trying to arrest someone, feels any sort of remorse, get in touch too before we track you down. #ProtectTheProtectors.”
In a statement the Met said: “Staff at the restaurant had used the panic alarm and reported that a man was fighting with customers.
“Two response officers attended and detained the man concerned. The officers were then confronted with a hostile crowd some of whom assaulted the officers.
“Both officers were later treated for injuries; one for an ankle injury and the other for cuts to his face. Neither officer has reported sick.”
Steve Johnson, acting borough commander, said: “Two officers, who were responding to a call to protect the public have been repeatedly assaulted.
“This is an unacceptable, nasty incident, with my officers being kicked while they were on the floor just trying to do their job. I would ask anyone with any information to call us and assist in the investigation.”
Speaking to 5Live Ken Marsh, London’s police federation chief, said: “I think there is a lack of sentencing and strength of action that’s taken against police when they are assaulted. I’ve openly heard judges say in court, ‘You should expect it, you’re a police officer.’
“When you start hearing things like that then there is a complete breakdown in society.”
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 7430/28AUG. You can also give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
