Police are investigating viral video footage that captured a man 'who appears to be struck' by an officer as he resisted arrest.
In the footage - which was shared on Twitter, where it has more than 230,000 views and 3,000 likes - we can see a number of officers attending the scene at a café in Burnage Lane, Manchester, following reports of 'non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions'.
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A witness told Metro they had recently seen people sitting inside the cafe, adding that there were 'about 50 or 60 people inside and outside' on the day of the incident.
After being called to the site shortly after 12pm, an officer appears to strike a man, who Greater Manchester Police say was allegedly 'resisting arrest'.
The video had been posted on social media with claims that Greater Manchester Police 'assaulted a man at the cafe in Burnage'.
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Tagging the force, the caption added: "@gmpolice you should be ashamed of yourselves."
The user later shared another clip showing officers speaking to the man inside the cafe.
The force confirmed that one officer had been assaulted in the incident and 'sustained injuries'. However, they did not require hospital treatment.
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Meanwhile, the 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker and resisting arrest, and he remains in custody.
A statement from Greater Manchester Police shared yesterday (7 February) said: "GMP is aware of a video circulating online involving a man who appears to be struck by a police officer.
"This incident happened whilst a 38-year-old man was being arrested on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker and resisting arrest. He remains in custody for questioning.
"Police were responding to reports of non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions by a café on Burnage Lane in Manchester.
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"Officers attended and in line with procedure, attempted to engage with individuals and disperse attendees.
"This resulted in an officer being assaulted."
The force added that investigation into the incident continues, saying: "GMP are aware of the footage circulating online and are continuing to assess all the circumstances of the incident, including this footage as well as other footage obtained, at what remains an early stage in the investigation.
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"An officer sustained injuries but did not require hospital treatment.
"14 Fixed Penalties Notices have so far been issued to those in attendance."
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@88gaz88
