The Metropolitan Police is conducting a review into an incident involving an officer detaining a black teenager following a viral video which has sparked public concern about excessive use of force being applied.
On Monday, during a police patrol on Heath Park Road in Romford, an officer stopped and searched two teenagers under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
After what the force has described as ‘a struggle’, one male, aged 17, was detained by an officer on plain clothed duty.
The video, which has amassed hundreds of thousands of views, shows the teenager being struck repeatedly with a baton while he shouts at the officer to stop.
A spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media. No formal complaint has been received at this time but the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including the actions of the officers, are being reviewed.”
Police were on patrol in the area in Monday 22 April when they found reason to stop and search two teenagers under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The 17-year-old was subsequently searched and was found in possession of class B drugs and arrested for possession with intent to supply and obstruction of a drugs search, the force has confirmed.
The second male, aged 14, escaped the officers and ran to his home address on Brentwood Road.
Here, an officer found the male and after another struggle, he was detained.
During the struggle the officer was assaulted by the male; he was arrested for obstruction and assault on a police officer.
Both males were taken to an east London police station and subsequently released under investigation.