Manchester: Police force reviews response to rough sleeper incident

The incident was filmed outside Manchester Town Hall last September

A review will take place into internal decisions made after an officer was filmed dragging a homeless man across the street, a police force has said.

Greater Manchester Police had originally decided to speak to the officer, who also treaded on the man.

They initially said her actions "fell below the standards we expect" and she had "received refresher training".

But the force has since said that the "decision making" in relation to that response "is now being reviewed".

It comes as former north west of England chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal said there should be a "full investigation".

He said an inquiry would determine "if she used unreasonable force" during the incident last September outside Manchester Town Hall.

'Inappropriate'

The man, a refugee from Sudan, was sleeping outside alongside a group of other homeless refugees when the incident took place.

The 31-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC: "I was telling her I need to sleep.

"But she stamped on my stomach with her foot.

"It caused me problems - I had a fever and in the following hours I had blood in my urine."

Commenting on the video, Mr Afzal, the former chief prosecutor for the North West of England, said that "most people would think it's inappropriate" and called for a "full investigation".

"Police can use greater force than members of the public but the investigation would determine if the officer used unreasonable force."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said "the decision making is now being reviewed", with an update to be provided "once that process is complete".

Their statement, issued at the time of the incident in February, said: "The officer's behaviour fell below the standards we expect, especially concerning respect for all members of the community, and the officer's actions were dealt with.

"The superintendent responsible for the city centre personally discussed the incident with the officer and made it clear that her actions were unacceptable and must not be repeated.

"She, along with other employees, received refresher training on how to deal with similar situations in the future."