A footage has been shared online showing some Metropolitan Police officers allegedly punching a 16-year-old boy during an arrest.
An onlooker who recorded the footage claimed the boy was being ‘bashed up’ during the incident in southeast London on Friday, June 10.
The scenario emerged when a child was robbed and threatened with a bottle by a group of males, a spokesperson said.
Following enquiries, officers went to a home in Abbey Wood and found the stolen property.
A boy, 16, tried to flee the scene and was arrested, but another teenager the same age then allegedly assaulted officers – leaving two with minor injuries.
Sharing the video on Twitter, Carina White, a media commentator, reportedly said: ‘Hey Met Police, just wondering if this is reasonable and appropriate use of force to detain a 16-year-old child? Kicking and punching???’
She went on to claim the teenager had ‘gone to see if his friend was OK as he saw police in his garden and this is what the end result was’, adding: ‘The police weren’t even there for him.’
Responding to her Tweet, one social media user said: ‘It’s the fact that he’s down and they’re still dropping blows, that gets me fuming.
‘Is he an “apprehended suspect” or is he an opp? Because based on this vid, it look like road beef, not an arrest.’
Another person wrote: ‘This is outrageous and must be investigated.’
In reaction to the outrage on social media, the Met police say body-worn video footage will be assessed, adding that any use of force by officers must be deemed necessary and proportionate.
Watch The Video Below;
@metpoliceuk @IOPC_Help @PoliceChiefs @policeconduct @MayorofLondon @SadiqKhan Kicking, punching used by many police to detain what’s said to be a 16 year old child. Can you enlighten the public why such force/brutality was used for us to possibly understand?#withdrawconsent pic.twitter.com/7qbEgAH9oE
— BLACK KIDS MATTER🐦 (@BLMKidsUK) June 11, 2022