A complaint has been lodged with Merseyside Police regarding the conduct of officers during an arrest captured on video, which appeared to show a suspect being restrained around the neck area.
Video shows arrest of young man
The viral footage depicted a large number of officers detaining a young man outside a house on Gilbert Street in Liverpool's Baltic area, shortly before 1pm on Monday. In the clip, four officers are seen forcing entry through the front door before leading the suspect out. They pin his arms behind his back and force him to the ground, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
One officer allegedly throws a punch at the suspect's head. A woman sitting on garden furniture is also detained by two officers, while in the background, another man is arrested.
Woman films and shouts at officers
The person filming, a woman standing in the front garden of a neighbouring property, moves closer and films an officer who appears to have his hand on the back of the young male suspect's neck. She shouts: "Disgusting, disgusting" and adds: "Get off his neck, get off his neck, youse have restrained him."
The video later shows her yelling: "He's saying he can't breathe," and at the end: "I've recorded it with your elbow, your hand up on his neck."
Police response and arrests
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "As a complaint has been received in relation to this incident, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time." The complaint is being handled internally and is not currently under review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The force confirmed two men were arrested and a woman was charged after officers attempted a stop check. The spokesperson explained: "At around 12.50pm, officers attempted to stop check a man who made off on foot on Gilbert Street and was seen to throw an item over a fence into a garden. Following enquiries at the scene, the suspect, along with another man and woman, were detained and a Sur-Ron electric motorbike, a mini-quad bike and two electrically-assisted pedal bikes seized."
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of acquiring/using/possessing criminal property and possession with intent to supply a class B controlled drug (cannabis). He has been released under investigation. A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing/resisting a constable in the execution of their duty and has been bailed while enquiries continue.
Rachael Taylor, 50, of Gilbert Street, was arrested and later charged with assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty and possession of a class B controlled drug (cannabis). She was bailed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on July 17.
