Police officer punches man in the head nine times while in a chokehold
A police officer has been filmed punching a man repeatedly in the head while restraining him in a chokehold on the ground.
Footage shows a man being pinned face down to the ground by a male and female police officer.
The male officer grabs the man around the neck with his arm and punches him nine times to the side of the head.
He could be seen struggling and groaning in pain as the female officer places him in handcuffs.
In a second clip, he can be seen with a bloodied and swollen face as he is placed in a police van.
It’s believed the incident occurred as Welsh police arrested a 34-year-old man from the Pensyflog area of Porthmadog on Wednesday, according to North Wales Police.
They said the man was taken to hospital for treatment before being transferred into custody.
The force said they are ‘fully investigating’ the matter and have made an urgent referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.
A Twitter user who shared the footage called for the officer who threw the punches to be sacked.
The video has caused shock and outrage online with commenters calling into question the force as a whole.
Gareth Davies, the Tory Senedd member for the Vale of Clwyd, said: ‘This is police brutality. What are you doing? Surely we’re better than this?’
A police spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of videos circulating on social media.
‘This matter is currently being fully investigated by North Wales Police and further updates will be issued in due course.’
An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘We became aware this morning (Thursday) of a video shared on social media showing an incident in Porthmadog involving a police officer.
‘We have now received a referral from North Wales Police which is being assessed to determine what action may be needed by the IOPC.’
Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, said: ‘The video that is circulating of the arrest of a male in Porthmadog is concerning.
‘I have discussed this incident with the Chief Constable this morning and she has confirmed the matter is rightly being investigated by North Wales Police, who will be issuing further updates in due course.
‘As Police and Crime Commissioner, I take such incidents seriously and will work with the police and other bodies to understand the circumstances behind the footage and act accordingly when the facts are established.’
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