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Hackney police attack: 'We are not punch bags' Hackney police 'attack': 'We are not punch bags'
(about 5 hours 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 a video which shows an officer on the ground apparently being kicked.
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 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 footage was branded "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. Four people have since been arrested in connection with the incident.
They include two men, aged 20 and 38, 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.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.
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 underneath.
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 the first two arrests were made.
Analysis
Tom Symonds, BBC Home Affairs correspondent
Two police officers, presumably awaiting backup, are having to fight for control, on a London pavement, surrounded by people, seemingly hostile.
As is so often the case, phones came out of pockets as the incident developed, so the video doesn't show what happened in the minutes before.
That is crucial since officers have to justify the force they use.
Even before George Floyd's death, any number of controversial arrests in recent years have demonstrated that a single video posted on social media can transform the public's opinion of an incident, and therefore their views of the police.
This investigation may be able to rely on the officer's own body-worn video cameras, increasingly vital in establishing the context.
But more generally, figures show the number of reported assaults on police officers have been rising steadily since 2014.
This, during a period when police numbers fell because of years of austerity. Fewer officers on the streets means fewer officers to respond, when their colleagues get into difficulty.
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 punch bags. 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."