SHOCKER: Burly male officer hits girl, 14, in the face during violent arrest
The video of a male police officer hitting a 14-year-old girl in the face during a violent arrest has sparked outrage and has gone viral. The teenager and a 52-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of assaulting police in Accrington, Lancashire. The incident resulted in two officers being injured and needing hospitalization.
The Lancashire police referred to the girl in the video as a 'young woman' despite the fact that she is only a teenager - 14-years-old. They shared that they are fully aware of the video and will be conducting an investigation to look into it. It is evident from the shocking footage that a male and female attempted to restrain the teenager as crowds around scream, "get off her".
There are a few other people who are seen in the footage as well, and one can be heard shouting, "this man's smacking up a little girl... she was smacked... you are losing your job." Many more male officers are seen coming to intervene as a brawl breaks out and the girl is put in handcuffs. Once the video was posted online, it received a mixed set of reviews with some people believing that the police officer should lose his job while others believe that it is a reasonable use of force.
One person commented, "This is one of the reasons why, I have no respect for the police" while another added, "Fair enough we don't know what's she's done, but you don't punch a girl in the face." A third person commented, "If we'd done that to our kids they'd have locked us up." There were also people who were supportive and sympathetic towards the police and shared, "She's trying to scratch at his face and tried to bite the woman. That's why they are holding her head...But the cops these days are damned if they do and damned if they don't."
The Lancashire police also released a statement which read, "Two people were arrested and two officers treated in hospital as a result of the incident. We appreciate it may cause concern - a full investigation will take place in due course."
It was reported that the girl was arguing with someone on the street when the police approached her. The shocking footage comes on the same day that the police were slammed after officers were seen spraying pepper spray on Stoke City fans. The footage shows a number police officers spraying fans in the concourse at Deepdale at half-time during the Championship games.