Coronavirus: Police officer accused of punching man after being called to lockdown breaches at cafe

Force says officers were called to Covid breach at Manchester cafe on Sunday

Greater Manchester Police has said it is aware of footage on social media showing a scuffle between an officer and a member of the public (Twitter)

A social media video showing a police officer appearing to punch a man who was being arrested on suspicion of breaching coronavirus regulations is being investigated, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has said.

Footage of the incident began circulating online on Sunday afternoon after police were called to a cafe in Burnage, Manchester, due to reports of a breach of Covid rules.

GMP said they were called to a Covid breach at a cafe “with approximately 100 people present”, despite restrictions on gatherings during England’s national lockdown.

Online claims said a video posted on Twitter showed an officer wearing a hi-vis jacket appearing to throw a punch at a man as they attempted to arrest him, angering a crowd near the cafe.

The force said in a statement that the footage been referred to its Professional Standards Branch following concerns from the public.

It added: "Whilst initialreviews suggest that officers' actions were reasonable when assessed within thewider context of the situation, following concerns raised by members of thepublic, it has been referred to GMP's Professional Standards Branch in linewith usual policy." 

It said the incident had happened "whilst a 38-year-old man was being arrested on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker".

“Police were responding to reports of non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions by a cafe on Burnage Lane in Manchester.

“Officers attended and in line with procedure, attempted to engage with individuals and disperse attendees."

Lucjan Domanski, 38, of Chapel Street, Levenshulme, was later charged with assault of an emergency worker.

He will appear at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on 23 February.