UK police officer faces 'criminal' probe

The UK's police watchdog on Friday said it had launched a criminal probe into an incident caught on video in which an officer appeared to kick and stamp on a man's head while making an arrest.

Greater Manchester Police in northwest England has suspended an officer from all duties following the incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday.

"We can confirm we are conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force during events which took place on 23 July at Manchester Airport," said Catherine Bates, regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The officer involved would be formally interviewed "as soon as possible", she added. The video, which has circulated online, caused public outrage and two nights of protests in Manchester and nearby Rochdale. The IOPC said it was looking at the "level of force" used.

Greater Manchester Police has said that three officers were assaulted, with one female officer "suffering a broken nose" and requiring hospital treatment, while apprehending a suspect at the airport following reports of an assault. Details of what happened immediately before and after the video remain unclear. Police said the "use of such force in an arrest is an unusual occurrence and one that we understand creates alarm".

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham told the BBC after seeing the full footage leading up to the circulated clip that it was "not a clearcut situation" and that while the clip was "disturbing", there were issues "on both sides".

Two men were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assault and assault of an emergency worker among other counts. Two other men were arrested suspected of affray and assault of an emergency worker.

Meanwhile, the family at the centre of the ongoing Greater Manchester Police storm is 'appealing for calm' after two days of protest.

Social media has also erupted with debate surrounding the video clip in recent days. But Rochdale's new Labour MP has shared a plea for calm from the family involved in the incident, insisting they simply want to 'find justice'. Paul Waugh told BBC Breakfast: "They have got no political agenda whatsoever. They are not going to attend any of these protests and they wanted me to issue an appeal for calm among all different types of communities in Rochdale.

"We have a history of unfortunate division in our town and we do not want to go back to those days. Their agenda is simply to find justice after this incident.... More importantly, they are acutely aware there are extremists from all sides who are keen to hijack this incident and use it for their own ends - the family are not interested in that at all."

It comes as a further demonstration is expected to take place in Manchester on Saturday. GMP suspended an officer implicated in the incident on Thursday morning.

Mr Waugh added that the family have been left 'traumatised' by what took place. He said: "It's clear from talking to them that they are traumatised. Lots of people saw that video clip and they are distressed by it.