Islamophobic violence as evidenced in Manchester airport attacks likely tip of the iceberg

IHRC has written to the of Chief Constable  Greater Manchester Police Stephen Watson demanding immediate action following the footage from Manchester Airport yesterday showing officers kick and stomp on an arrestee’s head while he is lying prone on the ground.  Additional video footage has emerged of officers pepper spraying, manhandling and assaulting witness(es) who were recording events on their phones.

IHRC has demanded an investigation not simply into the events at the airport but what has been widely reported to be an Islamophobic culture within the force.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh, in the letter, said:

“… knee jerk reactions to violent abuse by individual officers are insufficient. We are concerned that this treatment against members of the public promotes a dangerous message that this type of unjustified violence by the police is being tolerated on the back of institutionalised Islamophobia…”

For further comment, please call +44 208904 4222 (UK office hours), +447958522196 or email media[AT]ihrc.org.[ENDS]