After a clip showing part of the arrest of two teenage boys, aged 13 and 14, in Merseyside on Saturday was shared online, a complaint was lodged against the police
A formal complaint has been lodged against Merseyside Police after a video appeared to show an officer slapping a teenager during his arrest. The clip, widely circulated online, seemed to show an officer slap the teen boy in Kirkby, Merseyside, while he was in the back of a police car on Friday evening.
The person recording says: “Ah! I’ve got you on video slapping him!” The other boy is shown being held on the ground with his hands behind his back. Officers were called to the incident following reports a group was vandalising property in the area and said the teenagers were on a shed roof, damaging property and throwing pieces of wood.
The boys, aged 13 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, a public order offence and obstructing police.
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They were taken into custody to be interviewed and conditionally bailed. Merseyside Police alleged the same group was also responsible for previous incidents of criminal damage in the area.
Today, Inspector James Watson of Merseyside Police confirmed a complaint was lodged against the force, while stressing that the video online only shows a small part of the incident, the Liverpool Echo reports.
He said: “We take all reports of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, and we are grateful to those members of the community in Northwood who reported this incident to us.
“Anti-social behaviour can cause real fear and anxiety in the heart of our communities, and will not be tolerated by Merseyside Police.
“We are aware of footage circulated on social media showing a small part of this incident, after officers had attended and were in the process of detaining two males.
“As a police force we always expect the highest standards from our officers.
“Where those standards are found to be breached disciplinary action is taken. I understand that members of the public viewing this footage may be concerned. However, I would like to stress that a small clip doesn’t always show the full context of an incident.
“A formal complaint against police has been made by a member of the public who has viewed the footage online.
“Our Professional Standards Department will review the incident to establish the full circumstances and whether the force used by attending officers was proportionate.”
