“We can confirm we are conducting a criminal investigation"
An armed officer who was filmed kicking a teenager in the face as he lay prone on the floor at Greater Manchester Airport may face criminal charges.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was exploring a criminal prosecution against the unnamed officer, who has been suspended by Greater Manchester police (GMP).
The officer is being investigated over his use of force on 19-year-old Muhammad Fahir as well as his use of Pava spray on a second man at the airport.
Footage of the incident sparked two nights of protests in Rochdale and Manchester city centre.
The IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said:
“We can confirm we are conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force during events which took place on 23 July at Manchester airport.
“We are arranging to interview a police constable under criminal caution as soon as possible.
“I have today met one of the men who was involved and his family members to outline our investigation and we will continue to update them and Greater Manchester police as our inquiries progress.
“We will be speaking to the man involved in the second incident as soon as we can.
“The family has asked me to reiterate their call for peace and wish to stress that they do not condone any acts of violence as a result of this incident.”
The IOPC said it would interview the officer as soon as possible.
Following an investigation, a file will be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether to charge him.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham urged people to let the investigation proceed “without rushing to judgment”, as he reiterated a call for calm after “an intense and difficult week”.
He added: “What people here don’t want… is politicians without possession of the facts exploiting the situation for their own political agenda with zero regard for the effect on the ground in communities in Greater Manchester.
“Things are now moving forward. The right steps are being taken and people’s voices are being heard.
“It’s in everyone’s interests that from here we proceed with things in a measured and peaceful way.”
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh previously said the “traumatised” family wanted to make clear they had “no political agenda whatsoever” and called for “calm in all communities”.
Not much is known about the incident that prompted police to be called to reports of an assault at Greater Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 on July 23, 2024.
However, it is believed to have begun on a flight from Pakistan on which Fahir’s mother was a passenger.
GMP initially said three of its officers were “punched to the ground” and “subject to a violent assault”, with a female officer sustaining a broken nose.
In its first statement, the force said there was a “clear risk during this assault of their firearms being taken from them”.
GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: “It is a source of profound regret that this week’s incident at Manchester airport has caused shock and upset in some of our communities.
“Throughout this week, senior officers have been meeting with community representatives to ensure their voices are heard and this will continue – we are at one with the best instincts of those engaged in appealing for calm.
“While we are constrained in publicly releasing further information or footage about the incident due to the conduct and criminal investigations, we are committed to providing the fullest practical assistance to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
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