‘Shame on you!’ Manchester police hit by furious protests as hundreds gather to express fury at head kick video

Hundreds gathered outside a police station in Greater Manchester after a video emerged showing a police officer kicking a man in the head at Manchester Airport.

During the protest, demonstrators, some wearing face coverings and chanting “GMP shame on you'” were pictured outside Rochdale Police Station building, while others present let off fireworks.

One eyewitness told Manchester Evening News there were around 200 people in attendance.

It comes after a video is said to have been filmed at Manchester Airport’s terminal two on Tuesday, 23 July, showing an officer, with a taser in his hand, appearing to kick and then stamp on the head of a man lying face down on the floor.

Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry from GMP said: “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 (IOPC) 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.”

WATCH: Shocking footage from Manchester Airport last night 

During the demonstration speakers labelled the police ‘institutionally racist’ and the lead crowd in chants of “GMP, shame on you” with cries of “Allahu Akbar [God is greatest]” and “f*** the police” also heard.

One man holding a megaphone was hear telling listeners to remain peaceful at the protest, before adding “but tomorrow if we don’t get justice, these motherf*****s are gonna get it.”

A local Imam was seen trying to calm tensions within the crowd, telling them: “Rioting, being upset, is what these brothers want you to do.

“All I am asking is for you not to take the law into your own hands, be respectable citizens like our parents have taught us.”

Paul Waugh, the town’s recently elected Labour MP, wrote on social media: “The video footage of a Greater Manchester police officer kicking and stamping on a man in Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing.

“Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned. I have had it confirmed that the man arrested is a Rochdale resident and I hope to meet the family as soon as possible.

“I have expressed my concerns directly to the Assistant Chief Constable this evening and have been in touch with Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for policing of Greater Manchester.

“It’s right that the police officer concerned has been removed from duties and that this incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. I expect a thorough and swift investigation.”

George Galloway, the former MP for Rochdale, claimed on social media that one of the men who was arrested had family members in the police.

The Worker’s Party of Britain leader said: “I spoke at some length to both the uncle and the brother of those who were savagely assaulted on the videos that you’ve seen. Both the uncle and the brother are serving police officers.

“This is important. This is a police family that was severely beaten by the police, stamping on their faces while they lay helpless and unresisting on the floor, kicking them in the head with police boots while they lay unresistant, helpless on the floor.”