A police officer has been suspended after footage shared on social media showed a suspect being kicked in the head and stamped on at Manchester Airport.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said earlier it understands the “immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel” after the footage emerged.
An estimated 200 demonstrators gathered outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday night with some shouting “GMP shame on you!”.
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.
GMP said three officers were attacked after attending to a report of an assault at the airport. One female officer suffered a broken nose, while the other officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries that required hospital treatment.
The force 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.
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GMP added that four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
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In a statement after an officer was suspended in relation to the footage this morning, GMP said: “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.”
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.
Mr Waugh posted on X this morning: “The video footage of a Greater Manchester police officer kicking and stamping on a man in Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing.
“Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned… I have expressed my concerns directly to the Assistant Chief Constable this evening and have been in touch with Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for policing of Greater Manchester.
“It’s right that the police officer concerned has been removed from duties and that this incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. I expect a thorough and swift investigation.”
Akhmed Yakoob, a lawyer for two men who were arrested in relation to the violence at Manchester Airport, said this morning they have been released from Cheadle police station in Stockport.
Mr Yakoob continued: “They then had to make their own way to the hospital but in reality because they had head injuries, it was the police duty to take them to a hospital.
“But nevertheless they made their own way and now I’ve documented their injuries and we are headed to Rochdale Police station to make a formal complaint of assault and wounding against the police officers.”
