In a McDonald’s, besieged police pull Taser on thug ‘high on hippy crack’ as they tackle suspect... just another day in Wild West Britain
TWO policemen were attacked by a mob in McDonald’s as they carried out an arrest in the latest shocking confrontation in Wild West Britain.
The officers were kicked and manhandled as they pinned down a man they suspected of fighting with customers in the fast food restaurant.
Trapped in a corner, one of the policemen aimed his Taser at one attacker, who appears to be inhaling the deadly high known as ‘hippy crack’ using a balloon, but the stun gun is not fired.
The reckless disregard of law and order took place at the end of a bank holiday weekend marred by violence. Police were called to the burger bar in Hackney, East London, shortly after 10.30pm on Monday after staff set off a panic alarm. Shocking video footage has emerged showing a man in a grey hoodie appearing to resist arrest.
As the two policemen struggle to detain him, a hostile crowd starts shouting and screaming. Most film the attack on their mobile phones.
One woman can be heard shouting ‘they’re going to kick him again’ after one of the officers raises a police radio above the suspect’s head. Moments later a man wearing a baseball cap, white T- shirt and jeans launches himself at one of the officers and kicks him in the back. He then stands menacingly over the policemen, shouting abuse and pointing at them.
Some of members of the crowd can be heard trying to stop the attacker, while others urge him to continue his assault.
Seconds later the attacker kicks the other officer in the back as a second assailant pulls the same policeman’s leg, partially dragging him off the suspect on the floor.
The policeman repeatedly shouts ‘get the f*** off me’ before pointing a Taser at the second attacker, who is thought to be inhaling the party drug nitrous oxide – or ‘hippy crack’.
Scotland Yard said the Taser was ‘deployed but not discharged’, which means it was switched on but not fired. An officer wrote on Twitter: ‘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.’
A 30-year- old man was arrested at the scene for assault on police, and officers are trying to find other suspects. One officer was treated for an ankle injury and the other for cuts to his face. Both are back at work.
Acting Borough Commander Steve Johnson said: ‘Two officers, who were responding to a call to protect the public, have been repeatedly assaulted. 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.’
Last night one witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said one of the attackers accused the officers of racism before launching the assault. No racist comments can be heard on the video footage.
She said: ‘One of them said the police were racist for arresting the man on the floor. He said to his mate, “this is only happening because he’s black,” and then hit the officers.’
The witness said customers were egging the attackers on as they kicked the officers.
She said: ‘People watching were yelling “get them” and some were clapping. It was mad.’
The video was published on Twitter, where some users criticised the officer for using a Taser.
Hackney Police defended his actions, writing on Twitter: ‘Man got assaulted, not once but twice whilst trying to arrest someone. Think you miss the point here.
‘If you watch it you’ll see the officer produces his Taser and directs it towards the crowd who assaulted them not once but twice.’