Manchester Police filmed ‘punching’ man as he was pinned down

A shocking video appears to show a Manchester police officer punching a man – weeks after same force was slammed over brutal airport arrest.

The footage was filmed yesterday in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, with one officer seen dealing three sharp blows during the arrest.

Witnesses gathered as a group of uniformed officers pinned the man to the ground as he yelling in pain.

Crowds gathered to watch the violent scene unfold, with one witness heard yelling: ‘What are you getting nasty for?’

Another asked why the officers were punching the man.

A witness said: ‘I heard a lot of commotion and saw police running over to this guy. He was already pinned down and they put three punches to his head, and I think they bust his eye open.

Witnesses were heard asking why the police were being so ‘nasty’ (Picture: SWNS)

The man had blood on his face, apparently from a previous injury (Picture: SWNS)

‘It was way more than what was necessary, he was only a skinny guy and these were all big officers. He was already on the floor.’

In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Officers in the city centre were called to reports of a fight between two men in Piccadilly Gardens just before 10.30pm on Monday, September 2, 2024.

‘Officers attended, stopped the fight and detained a number of people. One of the suspects resisted being detained by officers.

‘Following comments made by witnesses at the scene, it was established one of the men had suffered injuries consistent with being hit in the face with an object, prior to police attending. The man was given treatment at the scene.

‘Following initial enquiries, those detained were released pending further investigation. Our Professional Standards Directorate are assessing all footage available, including that taken by witnesses at the scene and officer body-worn video.’

This comes just weeks after footage showed a Greater Manchester Police officer appear to stamp on a man’s head as he was being arrested in Manchester airport.

Multiple officers assisted in pinning the man down (Picture: SWNS)

The man had blood on his face, apparently from a previous injury (Picture: SWNS)

Muhammad Amaaz, 19, had been tasered during an incident at Manchester Airport and was lying face down when a police constable appeared to kick and stomp on his head.

The Greater Manchester Police officer, who has not been named, was suspended the following day and the force referred itself to the watchdog.

The two brothers involved in the fight were arrested after a video showed them appearing to punch the police officer.

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