Police officer under criminal investigation amid Halifax incident

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been advised that he is subject to a criminal and gross misconduct investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over his arrest of a man in Halifax on 16 August.

Video footage showing part of the arrest in Spring Hall Lane was shared widely on social media and shows the man being restrained on the ground by officers.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said: “Having examined a range of evidence including body worn video and initial accounts from the officers involved in the restraint, we have taken the decision that this is now a criminal investigation.

"A criminal investigation does not mean that criminal charges will necessarily follow.”

Speaking in August, temporary assistant chief constable Osman Khan said: “We are aware of a video circulating showing the arrest of a man at Spring Hall Gardens, Halifax on Sunday 16 August in relation to assault offences.

"We immediately reviewed the footage and looked into it as a matter of urgency to establish the full circumstances."