Manchester police filmed pinning man down and ‘punching’ him in city centre arrest

A video has circulated on social media of a Manchester police officer appearing to punch a man in the head during an attempt to arrest him.

The footage was filmed in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester on the 2nd September 2024.

Witnesses surrounded as a group of uniformed officers from GMP pinned a man to the ground.

During the video, an officer can be seen delivering three sharp blows to the man’s head during the arrest.

via SWNS

One bystander can be heard saying “why you doing that?” while another says “you mashed him up”.

This comes after footage was circulated of a GMP officer who appeared to “stamp” on a man’s head as he was arrested at Manchester Airport last month, with the officer later being suspended.

During Monday’s arrest, the man could later be heard yelling in pain and had a bloodied face as officers continued to hold him down.

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

via 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 and compliant.”

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 2nd September, 2024.

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

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“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.”

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Featured image via SWNS