A mob of 100 people reportedly ‘pushed and kicked’ at police officers as they attempted to arrest a drugs suspect in Manchester.
Those gathered on the street in Moss Side shouted ‘you are not letting him breathe’ and ‘I saw officers stamp on his neck’ as police attempted to detain the driver of a car ‘linked to drugs’ last Thursday.
The arrest, which took place after the motorist was seen travelling ‘at a very high speed’, attracted the attention of a ‘100-plus’ group, Greater Manchester Police said.
Of these, at least 10 who ‘at best could be described as hostile’ surrounded officers.
It was reported some interfered with the arrest by ‘pushing and kicking at officers without the knowledge of what had occurred beforehand’.
A mob of 100 people reportedly ‘pushed and kicked’ at police officers as they attempted to arrest a drugs suspect, 28, on Greame Street (pictured), Manchester
It is understood comments made at the scene regarding the suspect being unable to breathe were said in reference to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota last Monday.
The unarmed black man had gasped ‘I can’t breathe’ while white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes outside a convenience store.
The 46-year-old father’s death set off the biggest anti-racism protests seen in the United States since the 1960s civil rights era.
It also sparked outrage across the globe, with solidarity protests taking place in the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Denmark, Germany and London.
In a statement seen by the Manchester Evening News after the incident in Manchester, GMP said: ‘The recent footage of the incident in USA… has clearly raised tensions in the community.’
Following the incident last Thursday, GMP sent an email to local community groups setting out a timeline of events.
Police said officers from GMP’s Moss Side and Hulme neighbourhood team noticed a vehicle parked on Cowesby Street with two people inside at 8.20pm.
Moments earlier, the vehicle was seen ‘driving at a very high speed’ in Hulme, they said.
Police said officers from GMP’s Moss Side and Hulme neighbourhood team noticed a vehicle parked on Cowesby Street with two people inside at 8.20pm
Officers then tried to ‘engage’ with the driver and passenger, but they refused and the car windows were shut.
The vehicle was reportedly ‘linked to drugs’ on GMP’s intelligence system and the people inside ‘appears to be concealing items’, police added, although ‘it was difficult to see due to the car having illegally tinted windows to the front’.
The occupants of the car refused to leave the vehicle after being told they were being detained under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Officers tried to get inside the car, before it rammed a police vehicle and attempted to drive away, the statement added.
Police gave chase, and the passenger escaped the vehicle during the pursuit, before it eventually came to a stop on Greame Street.
The statement added the driver then resisted arrest as a large crowd gathered around the officers.
An unnamed GMP officer said: ‘I can understand our communities’ concerns and have no issues with them witnessing the detention/arrest or filming the incident, but in this incident they were interfering with the arrest of the driver.
‘There was a large police presence due to a backup call being made, but as soon as the prisoner and vehicles were removed, police withdrew from the area to assist removing some of the tension.
‘This area of Moss Side has recently seen several large gatherings and we have been engaging with the community, but unfortunately the recent events elsewhere have clearly added to tensions.’
Officers, the statement adds, were wearing bodycams, which were activated, meaning the ‘whole event’ was filmed.
The man arrested was left with a grazed elbow and an officer suffered a hand injury, but did not need hospital treatment.
The 28-year-old is suspected of dangerous driving; failing to stop for police; obstructing police; and assault whilst resisting arrest.
Police are not looking to prosecute any other person at the scene during the incident.