Alarming Footage Shows Met Police Officers Repeatedly Punching Boy, 16, During Arrest

A witness to the incident in southeast London on Friday claimed the youngster was being "bashed up."

People on social media called it "outrageous," claiming the force employed was completely unwarranted.

The Met has stated that any use of force by officers must be deemed necessary and proportionate and that body-worn footage evidence would be evaluated.

(Picture: Twitter/@_CarinaWh)

According to a spokesperson, the situation started after some men threatened a boy with a bottle and robbed him.

Officers visited an Abbey Wood residence after making inquiries and discovered the stolen goods there.

A 16-year-old youngster who attempted to flee the scene was apprehended, but another youth of the same age is then accused of assaulting officers, inflicting minor injuries on two of them.

Sharing the video on Twitter, Carina White, a media critic, supposedly said: ‘Hey Met Police, just wondering if this is a reasonable and appropriate use of force to detain a 16-year-old child? punches and kicks?’

picture for representation purpose

She went on to claim the youngster had ‘gone to see if his friend was OK as he saw police in his garden and this is what the result was’, adding: ‘The police weren’t even there for him.’

Responding to her Tweet, one social media user said: ‘It’s the fact that he’s down and they’re still dropping blows, that gets me fuming.’

‘Is he an “apprehended suspect” or is he an opp? Because based on this vid, it looks like road beef, not an arrest.’

(Picture: Twitter/@_CarinaWh)

Another person wrote: ‘This is outrageous and must be investigated.’

A spokesperson for the Met told Metro.co.uk: ‘Police were called on Friday, 10 June, to a report of a child robbed by a group of males in the Abbey Wood area. It was reported that one of the males threatened the victim with a bottle.’

‘Following police inquiries, officers attended an address in Abbey Wood to make arrest inquiries.’

(Picture: Twitter/@_CarinaWh)

‘Property reported as stolen during the robbery was recovered from the address. We are not releasing the road name to protect the identity of the youth arrested.’

A 16-year-old male attempted to flee the scene but was stopped and taken into custody by police on suspicion of robbery and possession of a dangerous weapon. He has been released on bail while more research is done.

‘Another male entered the premises and assaulted police officers. This 16-year-old [B] was arrested on suspicion of common assault by an emergency worker. He has been released under investigation.’

picture for representation purpose

‘Two police officers sustained minor injuries. They did not require hospital treatment.’

‘We are aware of video footage published online, which shows part of the incident in which officers used force to detain the suspects.’

‘This will be assessed, along with the officers’ body-worn video footage, by officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards.’

‘All-Met officers know that any use of force must be necessary and proportionate and that they will be required to account for their actions.’

(Picture: Twitter/@_CarinaWh)