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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Hackney police 'attack': 'We are not punch bags' | Hackney police 'attack': 'We are not punch bags' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The home secretary and the Police Federation have condemned a video which shows an officer on the ground apparently being kicked. | 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 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 footage was branded "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." |
| Four people have since been arrested on suspicion of assault on police. | |
| They include a 13-year-old boy and three men, aged 20, 32 and 34. | |
| 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. | 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 underneath. | 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 the first two arrests were made. | 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 | Analysis |
| Tom Symonds, BBC Home Affairs correspondent | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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." | "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." |
| 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." |