Officer removed from operational duties after man kicked in the head at Manchester Airport

A Greater Manchester Police officer has been removed from operational duties, after footage emerged showing a man being kicked in the head at Manchester Airport.

The incident at Terminal 2 happened last night (Tuesday 23rd July).

The video shows the 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 also appears to be struck by the officer.

The force has now referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

In a statement, Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said:

“We know that a film of an incident at Manchester Airport that is circulating widely shows an event that is truly shocking, and that people are rightly extremely concerned about.

"The use of such force in an arrest is an unusual occurrence and one that we understand creates alarm. In advance of what is shown in the footage available, we were called to reports of an assault at Terminal 2, Manchester Airport at 8.25pm on Tuesday 23 July.

"The alleged suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park and officers attended the location to arrest him. 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.

“One male officer has been removed from operational duties and we are making a voluntary referral of our policing response to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

“Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of emergency worker, affray, and obstructing police. Two other men have also been arrested on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker."

Home Office Minister Dame Diana Johnson described the footage as "disturbing":

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.