Manchester airport attack – all we know after shock, new police video emerges

Footage of the chaotic moments leading up to an arrest at Manchester Airport led to swift criticism of officers’ handling of the event, but a new video has added further context.

The new footage is believed to show the moments before a man was kicked in the head by a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer as he lay on the ground. Footage of the incident at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 quickly went viral on social media and led to swift condemnation from many.

A large crowd gathered outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday evening, with many condemning the officer’s behaviour. GMP would later suspend a police officer following growing criticism online.

Here’s everything we know so far about the attack at Manchester Airport:

Initial footage is released

Viral footage shared Wednesday showed a police officer pointing a Taser at a man as he lay on the ground. Onlookers could be heard shouting before an officer appeared to kick the man in the head.

One person could be heard yelling “get back” before a female officer appeared to turn her Taser and point it at other people. A distraught woman then tried to put her hand over the man’s head in an attempt to protect him. Armed officers were then seen using force to detain a second man who was standing nearby.

An officer then appeared to pepper spray a bystander.

Protesters gather in front of the police station

Crowds gathered outside Rochdale Police Station late on Wednesday night after the footage was shared on social media. Demonstrators, some wearing face coverings, chanted “Shame on you GMP” while others set off fireworks.

A witness told the Manchester Evening News that around 200 people were present. Police said the protest ended “without incident”.

Politicians react to the incident

The incident drew condemnation from many critics of police handling, while others showed support for the officers involved. Many others said they wanted more images released to show more context.

Labor MP for Rochdale Paul Waugh said in an X/Twitter post on July 25: “I have spoken to the family involved in the incident on Tuesday night at Manchester Airport and it is clear that they are deeply traumatized by what has happened.

“The family, who are my constituents in Rochdale, have two priorities. The first and most immediate priority is the health and well-being of their family members, including their mother.

“Their second priority is the need for justice to be done and seen to be done. But the family also wants me to say clearly that they have no political agenda, do not accept political violence and do not want to take part in any protests. They wanted to call for calm and I hope this call is heard.”

The Labor Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said in a statement: “The Deputy Mayor and I have now had the opportunity to meet both the Home Secretary and the Regional Director of the Independent Office for Policing.

“It was agreed that the ongoing IOPC inquiry would proceed as quickly as possible, involve community stakeholders and be truly independent.

“The precise arrangements will be determined by the IOPC. I hope this gives further reassurance to people that all the right steps are being taken, that all relevant issues will be fully considered and gives people confidence in the process as it moves forward. “

What did the police say?

GMP initially released a statement revealing that a female officer suffered a broken nose and that she and two other officers were taken to hospital for treatment.

It added that four men were arrested for fighting and assaulting emergency workers. But another statement was shared on July 25 that said a police officer was under criminal investigation for assault and had been suspended from all duties as an independent investigation took place amid mounting criticism.

“It is a source of deep regret that this week’s incident at Manchester Airport has caused shock and upset in some of our communities,” GMP said in a statement. “Over the course of the week, senior officers have met with community representatives to ensure their voices are heard and this will continue – we are at one with the best instincts of those involved in appealing for calm.”

GMP also appealed for more information about the events leading up to the attack at the airport. Witnesses have been asked to upload information, images or footage to the Public Portal: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP23S59-PO1

The latest images are released

At the start of the new clip, shared this weekend, it showed a group of people standing around a ticket machine inside a car park at Terminal 2. Three officers could then be seen walking through the group of people towards a man – wearing in light blue. – who was in front of the car.

An officer appears to grab the man’s hands in an attempt to detain him. The male officer then appears to push her head down as her two female colleagues stand by him.

A number of people in the group then go with one trying to grab the officer in an attempt to free the man. Punches appeared to be thrown by both the officer and the man.

The man appeared to repeatedly punch the male officer, who had dropped to the ground at this point. More punches were thrown and at one point two female officers were hit in the head and face.

The man wrestled the officer to the ground before he turned onto his stomach and lay face down. A woman then appeared to kneel beside him. This is when the altercation from the original footage begins.