Two police officers have been injured in what the home secretary has described as a “disgusting, violent attack” in Hackney
London’s mayor calls on anyone with information regarding the attack in Hackney to come forward and speak to investigators.
The officers stopped to help an apparent assault victim when they were set upon by a group of bystanders.
This comes after protesters all across the US have clashed with police at protests following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who pleaded with a white officer who was kneeling on his neck during an arrest, saying that he could not breathe.
the video that has been shared across social media platforms shows a male police officer pinned down on the ground and being kicked, before he then reverses the position and gets control of the grounded suspect, while his female colleague is pushed when she tries to intervene.
Several men surrounded the officers from Scotland Yard, swearing, shouting and many were can be seen filming the incident on their phones, with one even dancing and taking a selfie amid the scuffle.
Scotland Yard has said that both of the officers involved in the incident sustained minor injuries from the incident, that occurred in Frampton Park Road, Hackney, in east London, at around 3.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.
The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has said that the attacks on police officers seem to be increasing in the United Kingdom, adding: “Yet again this starkly shows the dangers @metpoliceuk face and the bravery they show each and every day keeping Londoners safe.”
Chairman Ken Marsh said: “We are not society’s punchbags. We have families we want to go home to at the end of every shift. But the dangers are stark. And seemingly escalating.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “Sickening, shocking & disgraceful.
“My thoughts are with the outstanding @metpoliceuk officers who were subject to this disgusting violent attack.”
John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation, said: “Disgusting behaviour from those who attack the officers, those who film what’s going on and those who do nothing. They are cowards, the lot of them.”
This comes after UK protests of the death of George Floyd, and racial inequality began in Hyde Park and have continued throughout Britain as police in the UK have said that they hope justice will be done in the US.
Two men, aged 20 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting police according to a Scotland Yard spokesperson. They remain in police custody in a police station in east London.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, added: “I utterly condemn the disgraceful attack on two Metropolitan Police officers.
“These brave officers were doing their duty and assisting the public. We owe them a debt of gratitude and I wish them a full and speedy recovery.
“Attacks on our police will not be tolerated. I urge anyone with information to come forward to ensure the perpetrators of this disgusting attack feel the full force of the law.”
