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Police caught on video pointing assault rifles at two men holding hands up in London | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Police in London have been caught on video pointing assault rifles at two young men as they held their hands in the air. | |
Mobile phone footage shows two armed officers aiming their weapons at the men as they sat in a car in Hackney. | |
During the stand-off on Tuesday, which lasted over a minute, the men can be seen questioning why the officers were using “excessive force" against them. | |
In separate footage of the same incident, a number of officers police vehicles can be seen at the scene as local people gather, some questioning the need for "so many police". | |
Scotland Yard said the vehicle was stopped as a result of "information" the force had received, and that three men - aged 25, 24 and 22 - were arrested for possession of drugs, money laundering offences and possession of an offensive weapon - which they revealed was a hammer. | |
Police said they could not confirm whether the men arrested were those in the car. | |
In the footage, which has been shared hundreds of times on social media, one of the young men in the car can be heard saying: “I don’t know why you are pointing guns at us. We’ve done nothing wrong. We’ve been involved in no criminal activity. | |
"You lot killed someone the other day. We don’t want to be a victim… I don’t know why you lot are doing this. All of this force for no reason.” | "You lot killed someone the other day. We don’t want to be a victim… I don’t know why you lot are doing this. All of this force for no reason.” |
A woman can be heard in the background shouting: “They’d only been there for five or 10 minutes and then the police just pulled up like this. And they’ve got guns – why? They can’t do that.” | A woman can be heard in the background shouting: “They’d only been there for five or 10 minutes and then the police just pulled up like this. And they’ve got guns – why? They can’t do that.” |
At one point, one of the officers can be heard saying: “Stop talking over me.” | |
The incident came after 20-year-old Rashan Charles, a Hackney resident, died after being chased and apprehended by police in a local shop, prompting widespread anger in the community and demands for justice. | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now investigating officers' contact with Mr Charles. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now investigating officers' contact with Mr Charles. |
CCTV footage widely shared on social media shows an officer pursuing him on foot before a struggle ensues, which many have claimed constituted excessive force. | CCTV footage widely shared on social media shows an officer pursuing him on foot before a struggle ensues, which many have claimed constituted excessive force. |
It also follows the revelation that the number of fatal police shootings recorded in England and Wales had hit a 12-year high. | |
Figures released by the IPCC show there were six fatal police shootings in the 12 months to March 2017, doubling the total of the previous 12 months. | |
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "Detectives in Hackney are investigating after three men were arrested for possession of drugs, money laundering offences and possession of an offensive weapon. | In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "Detectives in Hackney are investigating after three men were arrested for possession of drugs, money laundering offences and possession of an offensive weapon. |
"As a result of information the vehicle was stopped by armed officers. When the car and occupants were searched a quantity of drugs, cash and a hammer were recovered. Three men aged 25, 24 and 22 were arrested as above. | |
"All three were taken to north London police station where they are currently detained. Enquires continue." | "All three were taken to north London police station where they are currently detained. Enquires continue." |