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Hackney police attack: 'We are not punch bags' | Hackney police attack: 'We are not punch bags' |
(32 minutes later) | |
The home secretary and the Police Federation have condemned an attack on two police officers which was filmed by members of the public. | The home secretary and the Police Federation have condemned an attack on two police officers which was filmed by members of the public. |
Video circulating on social media shows an officer struggling on the ground with a man in Frampton Park Road in Hackney, north London. | Video circulating on social media shows an officer struggling on the ground with a man in Frampton Park Road in Hackney, north London. |
The attack was called "sickening" by Priti Patel, while the federation said: "We are not society's punch bags." | The attack was called "sickening" by Priti Patel, while the federation said: "We are not society's punch bags." |
Two men, aged 20 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of assault on police. | Two men, aged 20 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of assault on police. |
The officers, a man and a woman, suffered minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment, the Met Police said. | |
A member of the public, who had claimed to have been assaulted, flagged down the police on Wednesday afternoon and directed them to their alleged attacker. | A member of the public, who had claimed to have been assaulted, flagged down the police on Wednesday afternoon and directed them to their alleged attacker. |
In a statement, the Met said: "As an officer attempted to speak with those involved, one of the men resisted and a struggle ensued. A number of other people became involved whilst the officer was on the ground." | In a statement, the Met said: "As an officer attempted to speak with those involved, one of the men resisted and a struggle ensued. A number of other people became involved whilst the officer was on the ground." |
Footage appears to show the officer trying to restrain a man but they then fall to the ground with the officer pinned under the suspect. | Footage appears to show the officer trying to restrain a man but they then fall to the ground with the officer pinned under the suspect. |
Passers-by began filming and taking selfies as the officer and the suspect grappled. | Passers-by began filming and taking selfies as the officer and the suspect grappled. |
The female officer attempted to keep people away from the scene and also suffered injuries before more officers arrived and arrested the two men currently in custody. | The female officer attempted to keep people away from the scene and also suffered injuries before more officers arrived and arrested the two men currently in custody. |
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: "Yet again this starkly shows the dangers [officers] face and the bravery they show each and every day keeping Londoners safe. | Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: "Yet again this starkly shows the dangers [officers] face and the bravery they show each and every day keeping Londoners safe. |
"We are not society's punchbags. We have families we want to go home to at the end of every shift, but the dangers are stark and seemingly escalating." | "We are not society's punchbags. We have families we want to go home to at the end of every shift, but the dangers are stark and seemingly escalating." |
Supt Martin Rolston said: "This incident, which was captured on someone's mobile phone is truly shocking. | Supt Martin Rolston said: "This incident, which was captured on someone's mobile phone is truly shocking. |
"My officers went to the assistance of a member of the public - who asked for their help - after stating that they had been assaulted. | "My officers went to the assistance of a member of the public - who asked for their help - after stating that they had been assaulted. |
"What happened next is a reminder of the risks our officers take whilst going about their duties." | "What happened next is a reminder of the risks our officers take whilst going about their duties." |
Analysis | |
By BBC London Home Affairs correspondent Katharine Carpenter | |
The context surrounding the incident in Hackney still isn't clear, the Met says the officers were responding to a request for help but we don't yet know how that led to a struggle on the ground. | |
I understand police in Hackney had already planned to meet with local community groups today, now this incident and the tensions surrounding it look likely to dominate the conversation. | |
Most recent Home Office figures show there were nearly 5,000 attacks on Met Police officers and just under half resulted in injury. | |
But there has been concern that anti-police feelings expressed during the recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations might see that number rise. | |
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Sickening, shocking & disgraceful. | Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Sickening, shocking & disgraceful. |
"My thoughts are with the outstanding officers who were subject to this disgusting violent attack." | "My thoughts are with the outstanding officers who were subject to this disgusting violent attack." |
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "I utterly condemn the disgraceful attack on two Metropolitan Police officers this afternoon. | Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "I utterly condemn the disgraceful attack on two Metropolitan Police officers this afternoon. |
"These brave officers were doing their duty and assisting the public. We owe them a debt of gratitude." | "These brave officers were doing their duty and assisting the public. We owe them a debt of gratitude." |