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AIRPORT ATTACK ANGER
Protests erupt outside police station after brutal video of cop kicking and stomping on man’s head at Manchester Airport
See footage from last night's protest and the airport incident that triggered it in the video above
PROTESTS erupted outside a police station last night after shocking footage showed an officer kicking a man in the face at Manchester Airport.
At least 100 people gathered outside Rochdale Police Station after the footage was shared online.
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A police officer has been suspended from all duties following a “thorough review of further information”, the force has confirmed.
It comes as the man seen being stamped on has broken cover and demanded "justice".
And Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said the scandal is "not a clear cut situation" after seeing full footage of the build-up.
Chanting "shame on you", the protesters accused cops of institutional racism, footage from the protest online appears to show.
READ MORE ON THE INCIDENT
One of the protesters had told the crowd they were "no longer going to settle" for "police brutality", according to The Manchester Evening News.
The station is around 25 miles from the airport.
The assault video is said to have been filmed at the airport's terminal two on Tuesday.
Greater Manchester Police said its officers had been called at 8.25pm following reports of a fight.
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The force said while trying to arrest a suspect, three officers were attacked and punched to the ground.
One female officer suffered a broken nose and all three needed hospital treatment.
Four men were arrested for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
Shocking moment cop kicks man in face and stamps on his HEAD at Manchester Airport in harrowing clip
GMP referred itself to watchdog the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), which said it would assess the referral "and decide what further action is required".
The airport video 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 also appears to be struck by the officer.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said today: “A protest held last night outside Rochdale Police Station about our response at Manchester Airport has concluded safely, without incident.
"We understand the immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel about our response and fully respect their right to demonstrate their views peacefully.
“We have already referred our actions to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and will be in further discussions with them today.
“We have spent the evening listening to community feedback and will continue to engage with communities and elected members to maintain strong partnership links and understand local views."
Describing the video as "truly shocking" vision "that people are rightly extremely concerned about", he earlier confirmed the male officer has been "removed from operational duties" and the force had made a voluntary referral of its response to the IOPC.
He added: "During our response, three officers were assaulted.
"One female officer suffered a broken nose and the other officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries which required hospital treatment."
GMP acknowledged concerns about "conduct within the video" and said firearms officers had been responding to reports of an altercation between members of the public.
A force spokesman said: "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."
Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson posted on X, formerly Twitter: "I am aware of disturbing footage from an incident at Manchester Airport this afternoon and understand the public concern it has prompted.
"I have asked for a full update from Greater Manchester Police."
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said he had raised concerns about the airport incident with the deputy chief constable.
He said: "I have seen the disturbing video footage circulating of a GMP officer at Manchester Airport and recognise the widespread and deep concern this has caused in Greater Manchester and beyond.
"The deputy mayor and I have raised these concerns with the deputy chief constable."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he understands the “concern” over footage appearing to show a police officer kicking a prone man and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is meeting Mr Burnham to discuss the video.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating the level of force used by a Greater Manchester Police officer as part of an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July.
"We have been advised by the force that the officer has now been suspended from all duties.
"We appreciate the footage which was shared on social media has attracted widespread shock and concern.
"It is vitally important we investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are independent of the police and our investigation will be thorough and robust.
"Our enquiries are in their very early stages but we have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis.
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"We appreciate people want answers and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.
“Updates will be provided as our investigation progresses.”
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