Police statement after social media video of incident at Mander Centre
It was circulating online yesterday (15 June)
Police say they're aware of footage circulating on social media of an incident in the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton yesterday (14 June).
Officers were alerted by the retail radio at the centre when two teenagers were causing a disturbance around 3pm after being reported missing from school.
The boys were being abusive to shoppers and causing disorder.
A PCSO attended but the level of behaviour by the boys was such that a plain clothes officer intervened and attempted to detain them.
Additional officers were called for support and it was necessary to restrain a 13-year-old boy for his own safety and that of officers.
Officers were also required to manage hostile members of the public while the boy and another 13-year-old were arrested for breach of the peace, during which one officer was punched several times.
They were later de-arrested at the police station and handed over to appropriate adults.
One of the boys will be dealt with at a later date for assaulting a police officer and damaging office equipment at the station.
Chief Inspector Hasson Shigdar, from Wolverhampton Central Police Station, said:
“We understand that incidents like these are very emotive when viewed on social media, but please remember that a snapshot does not tell the whole situation the officers faced.
“We are collating bodyworn footage and our Professional Standards Department will make a full assessment, but initial investigation shows that officers acted appropriately within Home Office guidelines.”
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