North Wales Police officer suspended after arrest video causes outrage

A police officer has been suspended after a video was published online showing a man being punched while being arrested. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, showed the 34-year-old man being held on the ground in Porthmadog as an officer punched him to the head several times. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Another video appeared to show the man who was arrested with a large swelling on the side of his face as he was placed into a police vehicle. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It’s was later confirmed the man was taken to hospital for treatment after being arrested, before being transferred into custody. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

North Wales Police has now confirmed an officer has been suspended following the incident, which took place on Wednesday and has triggered an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A force spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the officer involved has been suspended from duty. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The IOPC are leading the investigation and we are therefore unable to provide any further information. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“In relation to the man arrested we can confirm that he was released on bail.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​