Yahoo News Police officers attacked in McDonald's by 'hostile crowd' as they pin down suspect
Two police officers were kicked and heckled by a ‘hostile crowd’ in a London McDonald’s as they struggled to arrest another customer for fighting.
Police were called to the branch on Mare Street, Hackney, after staff set off a panic alarm at around 10.30pm on Monday.
Footage posted on Twitter shows the officers wrestling with the suspect on the floor.
Customers can be heard shouting and seen surging forward with one man, wearing a black baseball cap, white T-shirt and jeans, running forward and kicking one of the officers, backing away and then coming forward to aim a second kick.
Another man, with a pink balloon hanging from his mouth, keeps surging forward towards the officers, before one draws and aims a Taser at him.
Hackney Police tweeted the video of the incident appealing for witnesses, and condemning the ‘tough man’ who kicked an officer.
If you witnessed this incident last night please DM. If the 'tough man' who feels it's acceptable to kick my colleague in the back, not once but twice when trying to arrest someone, feels any sort of remorse, get in touch too before we track you down. #ProtectTheProtectors https://t.co/ohmr00Q8Zg
— Hackney Police (@MPSHackney) August 28, 2018
The tweet was met with criticism from a number of people, who accused the officers of using unnecessary force and tasering a person lying on the floor.
Hackney Police then responded to the accusation, saying that the officer did not deploy the weapon.
Can you describe what you believe your officer is doing between 00:18 secs – 00:20 secs? https://t.co/EnSkdiuLmS
— Seema Chandwani #JC9 (@SeemaChandwani) August 28, 2018
Both officers were treated for their injuries, one for an injured ankle and one for cuts to his face.
Acting Borough Commander Steve Johnson of the Central East Command Unit, said: “Two officers, who were responding to a call to protect the public have been repeatedly assaulted.
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“This is an unacceptable, nasty incident, with my officers being kicked while they were on the floor just trying to do their job. I would ask anyone with any information to call us and assist in the investigation”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 7430/28AUG.
