Eight charged over Dalston disorder
The police watchdog’s looking into footage of an officer appearing to repeatedly hit a man in the head
Eight people have been charged after nine police officers were assaulted in Dalston in east London over the weekend whilst carrying out an operation.
Clashes broke out when officers were in the area on a pre-planned operation.
The police officers were targeting those using e-scoters and mopeds to commit crimes when they were assaulted, one was racially abused.
The disorder took place in the area of Ashwin street and Kingsland High Street on Saturday 14th May, the investigation is continuing.
After the incident, footage was shared on social media of an officer appearing to repeatedly hit a man in the head, the police watchdog’s looking into the footage.
The footage, posted to Twitter, shows several officers standing beside a police van outside Kingsland Shopping Centre in Dalston on Saturday evening.
It shows a man detained by officers struggling before he is struck in the head five times while on the floor.
The men and women were charged with a range of offences, including assaulting a police officer and a racially aggravated public order offence.
The Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of some reporting which suggests that this operation was to target immigration-based offences, this is not the case.
“The operation was to target e-scooters and moped enabled crime following concerns of anti-social behaviour reported by the local community.
“During the course of the operation, officers did detain a man who was wanted for immigration offences. The man made off from police. Enquiries are ongoing.
They added, “Footage of part of the incident was shared on social media, including a clip showing an officer striking a man who was on the ground, this has been reviewed by officers.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett, in charge of policing for Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “These charges follow a routine, planned operation to protect the public which escalated into significant disorder where officers were assaulted and came under attacks whilst making an arrest.
"Police officers are aware that any use of force must be proportionate and reasonable, and they understand that their actions will be scrutinised as they go about their work.
“It is only right that officers are accountable for their actions and we will fully support the IOPC’s assessment of the material that has been referred to them.
“It is important to remember that footage shared on social media only shows a small part of a much larger and more complex incident or series of incidents, it is for this reason that the Met’s DPS carries out reviews, including analysis of officers’ body worn video footage.
“Eight people have been charged with criminal offences as a result of their actions on Saturday evening. Enquiries continue in respect of any other offences. I cannot comment further since legal proceedings are now active.”