Police van rams teenager while breaking up disturbance in Edinburgh

Footage shows youngster being taken out by vehicle before being arrested

A police van has been filmed smashing into a teenager after officers were called to reports of trouble at an Edinburgh green.

The footage shows the vehicle taking out the 16-year-old boy before he is arrested as he lies on the grass.

It happened as police responded to 999 calls that 30 youths wearing hoodies and balaclavas had gathered in the city’s Moredun area, and were said to be smashing up cars.

Several youngsters can be seen in the footage – recorded from a nearby flat – running away as the van arrives.

The man who filmed the scene, who did not want to be named, said: “There were easily 30 youths gathered. They were all dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, hoods, and winter scarves to cover their faces."

He added: "I spoke to someone who claimed they’d smashed cars and set stuff on fire.

“Suddenly these two police vans mounted the grass and drove towards the group.

“To start with, it looked like they were just breaking the crowd up. But then you can see one of the vans drive straight towards one of the boys.

“It had been raining, and when a van is driving that fast on soft grass it’s not stopping in time.

“The whole time the police were there, though, the crowd just lingered off the side of the green – and they were yelling and taunting and jeering the police."

Police Scotland said a 16-year-old boy had been arrested for a breach of the peace and an outstanding warrant during the incident at 6.30pm on Monday evening.

Superintendent Mandy Paterson added the force’s standards watchdog has been informed of the incident.

She said: “We have confirmed this person collided with a police vehicle immediately prior to his arrest. He did not require medical attention as a result of this. The full circumstances of this collision are being investigated and the Police Scotland Professional Standards Unit have been informed.”

She added no links had been established between the initial disturbance and the attempted murder of a 16-year-old in the city the day before – but did say such a connection was not being ruled out.