A Greater Manchester Police officer has been removed from operational duties following the release of a disturbing video that shows a man being kicked in the face and stamped on the head during an arrest at Manchester Airport. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage and prompted an official investigation.

Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry of Greater Manchester Police described the footage as “truly shocking” and acknowledged the public’s extreme concern over the behaviour displayed in the video. The video, which quickly spread across social media platforms, shows a taser-wielding officer assaulting a man lying on the ground with his arms by his side. A woman can be heard in the background pleading with the police to stop the violence.

In the chaotic scene captured on Tuesday at Manchester Terminal 2, another man is seen with his hands behind his head before he too appears to be struck by the officer. The intensity of the situation escalated as the officers, who were responding to a report of an altercation, claimed they were assaulted by the suspects, leading to injuries among the police, including a female officer who suffered a broken nose.

The Home Office minister, Dame Diana Johnson, expressed her concern over the incident, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that she was “aware of disturbing footage” and had requested a full update from Greater Manchester Police. The public’s alarm over the incident has led to an immediate response from law enforcement officials.

Greater Manchester Police has made a voluntary referral of their response to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. The force emphasized that while attempting to arrest suspects involved in an earlier altercation, their officers faced a violent assault, heightening the risk of their firearms being compromised.

The video has raised serious questions about the conduct of law enforcement at the airport, and Greater Manchester Police have assured the public that their Professional Standards Directorate is currently assessing the situation. Meanwhile, four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers, underlining the tense and volatile nature of the event.

This incident has triggered a broader discussion about police conduct and the appropriate use of force, with community leaders and the public calling for accountability and stringent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.