POLICE have launched an investigation after a gun cop was filmed with his Taser drawn violently kicking a young Asian male in the face at Manchester airport.
Harrowing footage filmed by other passengers caught the dramatic incident as it took place on Wednesday afternoon at Terminal 2.
At least five armed officers in blue boiler suits were surrounding the male – who looks to be in his late teens – as he lay on the floor.
One male officer delivered a forceful kick to the right hand side of the man’s face as an older woman – believed to be his mum – knelt next to him.
The same PC then stamped on the back of the man’s head with his black boot.
Another officer appeared to have tasered the man prior to the start of the mobile phone footage.
And a female officer urged members of the public to “move back” before she tried to use her radio.
She then raised her hand to her forehead and appeared to be visibly distressed by the incident.
An older Asian man who sat on a seat nearby was then ordered to the floor and placed his hands behind his head before being forced to the floor by two male officers.
The 44-second video has been shared on social media with allegations of “police brutality”.
Some claimed the incident was sparked when the younger man assaulted an officer he believed had “pushed” his mum.
But GMP said the incident happened when officers were called to an “altercation” in the terminal.
As they attempted to arrest a suspect, three officers were attacked, leaving all three needing hospital treatment and one WPC with a broken nose.
They said the force was used as the arresting officers were carrying guns and feared their weapons could be taken from them.
Four men were arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on emergency service workers.
But some members of the public called for the incident to be investigated by Gtr Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Bushra Shaikh tweeted: “What the hell am I watching?! Police brutality in full force as officer kicks and stamps on head at Manchester airport.
“Absolutely unnecessary force and unacceptable. This officer must face consequences @gmpolice Does anyone know the family?”
Another added: “Can’t see how you can justify kicking someone in the face and head when they are laying on floor being tasered and he seemed compliant. Although someone context is required as to what was going here.”
Former Scotland Yard Superintendent Nusrit Mehtab tweeted: “Apparently this happened at Manchester Airport after the officers pushed the mother of the boys. @gmp any comment of the disgusting behaviour of the officers. @AndyBurnhamGM @YvetteCooperMP.”
A Gtr Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to reports of an altercation between members of the public in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.
“Whilst attempting to arrest one of the suspects of the earlier altercation, three officers were subject to a violent assault, where they were punched to the ground.
“A female officer suffered a broken nose and all three were taken to hospital for treatment.
“As the attending officers were firearms officers, there was a clear risk during this assault of their firearms being taken from them.
“Four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
“We acknowledge the concerns of the conduct within the video, and our Professional Standards Directorate are assessing this.”
Manchester Airport referred enquiries to GMP.
