Use of force during arrest – Greater Manchester Police, September 2018

On 25 September 2018, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers attended a supermarket on an unrelated matter, when one of the officers was approached by a member of staff requesting assistance in dealing with a customer. The member of staff informed the officer that a man was becoming aggressive after being refused a purchase.

The officer asked the man and a woman with him to leave the store. A struggle ensued between the man and the officer. Another officer in attendance came to assist, during which time a struggle also ensued between the officer and the woman. Both the man and the woman were arrested, taken into custody, charged with assaulting the officer and later released.

Following the incident, the man and woman submitted a complaint, stating that the force used by the officer on them both had been unnecessary. They further stated that they believed the officer had treated them differently due to their ethnicity, age and religion. The woman additionally alleged that the officer had intentionally pulled down her headscarf and later thrown it in her face, had been inappropriately touched during her arrest and that she was not provided with any medical assistance whilst in custody even though it was requested.

During our investigation, accounts were obtained from customers, supermarket staff and the officers who had contact with the man and woman during their arrest and period in custody. We reviewed CCTV footage from the supermarket, mobile phones and the custody suite along with all documentation relating to their arrest and remand in custody. The man and woman were interviewed, and the officer was interviewed under criminal caution. All the evidence was provided to a use of force expert and they provided an expert opinion on the officer’s use of force.

We concluded our investigation in September 2019.

Our investigation concluded there was no indication that any police officers or police staff may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence. Evidence also indicated that the woman was offered medical care during her period in custody and declined further support and services. Therefore, this complaint was not upheld.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. In this case, the investigation has not identified any learning.