Police officer suspended over footage showing man being kicked in head at Manchester Airport

Footage of the incident began circulating online yesterday afternoon.

The distressing footage was shared across social media yesterday afternoon, and the brutality captured on camera led to around 200 people gathering outside Rochdale Police Station last night with some shouting "GMP shame on you!".

According to the Manchester Evening News, police say that they were called to an ‘altercation’ between members of the public in Terminal 2 of the airport.

There, the police claim they were subjected to a ‘violent assault’ while trying to make an arrest.

In the footage, a male officer can be seen aiming a taser at one man who is lying on the ground. It appears the man is already being tased by another officer.

One police officer then appears to kick and stamp on the man’s head.

Greater Manchester Police released a statement this morning, announcing the suspension of the officer in question.

Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, Greater Manchester Police has suspended a police officer from all duties. pic.twitter.com/nDPp9XZayD

— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 25, 2024

They wrote: "Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, Greater Manchester Police has suspended a police officer from all duties.

"A referral has now been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct 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."

The chaotic scene shows officers pointing tasers at two men in a hallway of Manchester Airport's Terminal 2.

One officer can be heard shouting “move back” while a female officer appears to point her taser towards those who are crowding the scene.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police claimed that a female officer was left with a broken nose and other officers were hospitalised.

They added that they felt there was a risk that the armed officers could have their firearms taken.

A statement released on Wednesday evening said: “Officers were called to reports of an altercation between members of the public in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.

“Whilst attempting to arrest one of the suspects of the earlier altercation, three officers were subject to a violent assault, where they were punched to the ground. A female officer suffered a broken nose and all three were taken to hospital for treatment.

“As the attending officers were firearms officers, there was a clear risk during this assault of their firearms being taken from them.

“Four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers. We acknowledge the concerns of the conduct within the video, and our Professional Standards Directorate are assessing this.”

We are aware of a video that is circulating online which shows our firearms officers responding to an incident at Manchester Airport.

Please find our full statement below. pic.twitter.com/XK6uo5bxdk

— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 24, 2024