Hundreds of protesters gather outside Rochdale Police Station after video shows officer stamping on man's head
A demonstrator was seen shouting through a megaphone outside the station after Greater Manchester Police said it understands the "immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel" in relation to the video.
Thursday 25 July 2024 09:33, UK
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Rochdale Police Station after footage of an officer kicking and stamping on a man's head was shared widely on social media.
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Greater Manchester Police said it understands the "immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel" after the footage from Manchester Airport emerged.
The force added the demonstration on Wednesday night ended "without incident".
An estimated 200 people gathered outside the station with some shouting "GMP shame on you!".
Paul Waugh, the Labour and Co-Operative MP for Rochdale, has said the man who was stamped on and arrested in the "shocking and disturbing" video is from the town.
He added that he spoke to the man's family last night and is planning to meet them in person today.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry, of Greater Police, said on Wednesday an officer "has been removed from operational duties" in relation to the footage.
It is understood the officer has not been suspended.
The video, said to have been filmed at Terminal 2 of the airport on Tuesday evening, shows an officer with a Taser in his hand appearing to kick and then stamp on the head of a man who is lying face down on the floor, with a woman kneeling beside him.
A second man was also struck by the officer.
On Thursday morning, ACC Chaudhry added: "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."
He earlier described the video as "truly shocking" and said it showed images that "people are rightly extremely concerned about".
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Nusrit Mehtab, a former Scotland Yard superintendent, told Sky News this morning that she believes the officer seen kicking the man on the ground should be suspended.
Asked by presenter Kay Burley whether kicking someone in the head can ever be seen as a proportionate response, Ms Mehtab replied: "Absolutely not... The individual that was kicked in the head was on the floor already and had been Tasered... There was no threat, no risk posed by that individual.
"The kick, because (the suspect) raised his head and looked, was horrendous enough. And then the stamping on the head. Those two combined cannot ever be justified."
GMP said officers had been responding to reports of an assault at Terminal 2 at 8.25pm on Tuesday.
"The alleged suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park and officers attended the location to arrest him," Mr Chaudhry said.
During the response, police said three officers were assaulted. One female officer suffered a broken nose, while the other officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries that required hospital treatment.
GMP also acknowledged concerns about "conduct within the video" but said officers had arrived at the scene with guns and there was a "clear risk" of "their firearms being taken from them" during the altercation.
The force added that four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
Eyewitness Amar told Sky News he had heard shouting as he was turning the corner in the area. He heard: "You're under arrest, you're wanted."
He said he then saw one man being "pinned against the wall", before "pushing and shoving".
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Amar said he believes it was then that the man's brother came "running over" - before being pushed to the floor and "kicked" by police.
Manchester Airport said on Wednesday: "We are aware of an incident involving Greater Manchester Police officers that took place yesterday and, as a result, the force is investigating the matter.
"We will support the investigation in any way possible."
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."