'Profoundly regrettable': GMP Chief Constable speaks out over Manchester Airport arrest video

Greater Manchester Police's top cop has said he 'profoundly regrets' shock and upset caused by footage of officer kicking a man in the head during an arrest at Manchester Airport.

In an appeal for calm issued this evening (July 26), Chief Constable Stephen Watson said the force is committed to aiding an investigation into the incident being undertaken by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A video widely shared on social media was recorded inside the airport's Terminal 2 on Wednesday (July 24). It appeared to show a GMP officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying face down on the floor, with a woman kneeling beside him.

According to police, three of their officers had been assaulted, including a female officer who suffered a broken nose. Four men were arrested at the scene.

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Today, the IOPC confirmed the police constable shown in phone footage is under criminal investigation for assault. It has been stressed it doesn't necessarily mean criminal charges will follow. But the watchdog confirmed that after the conclusion of its investigation, a decision would be made over whether to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

This evening, Chief Constable Stephen Watson issued a new statement, in which he appealed for calm following a wave of protests in the wake of the incident. Demonstrators gathered outside the office of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, and temporarily prevented stopped trams running through the city centre.

CC Watson said: "It is a source of profound regret that this week’s incident at Manchester Airport has caused shock and upset in some of our communities. Throughout this week,