A new shocking video showed a 21-year-old black man being repeatedly punched by a cop.
After reports that a bike had been stolen in the area, the youngster was tackled by the officer and forced to the ground, reported MyLondon. The incident happened on Friday, at around 11.15 a.m. on a green area close to Beacon Lane, Lewisham. At the time police were called to a report of a stolen bike.
The video was shot by a witness, Rachelle Henry, from Lewisham from her house. Henry said that she believes that the police's approach was "racially motivated. The white boy did not even get cuffed while they were beating the black boy."
The Metropolitan Police said that the man was resisting arrest, and the cops were legally allowed to restrain him. They said that it was not unreasonable force. But Henry said that the police acted wrong and unreasonably, and that this was "not reasonable force." She shared that this was a police officer taking advantage of his power and beating this "young boy of 21 years. He has been traumatized by this."
Cops said that the two men were potential suspects of bike theft. Henry said that the black man was taken to the ground even after he told officers that the bike he had with him was his own.
Initially, an ambulance was called for the man. But due to a long expected wait time for it, it was later cancelled as he recovered.
The video taken by the witness was reviewed by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. Footage from the officers’ body worn video cameras was also reviewed, but they did not identify any misconduct. The Metropolitan Police were asked about the claims of racism, but they said that they have reviewed the evidence and no further action will be taken, reported Mirror.
Henry said that she tried to reason with the officers. She said that she has about 45 minutes of footage, and from start to the end, these "officers' behaviour was disgusting throughout! The boy actually passed out as a result of being punched six times by this officer." She added that the officer even had his leg on his head or neck even though the boy "had done not a thing wrong. This is not going unnoticed."
