UK police pay £12,500 compensation to man they bruised when tackling him to the ground during an arrest which was gleefully filmed by shoppers

A man who was left bruised after being tackled to the ground by police because he was selling CDs has been awarded £12,500 compensation.

Shocking footage shows the moment officers tackled the unnamed 45-year-old in Sefton Park, Liverpool, because he did not have the correct licence to sell.

The clip shows the man being approached by community support officers on August 3 last year.

The PCSOs then call for back up before two officers tackle the man, who is wearing a white T-shirt and shorts, to the ground and hold him down.

Onlookers gather as the incident happens with one woman, who is with a child in a wheelchair, appearing to film it on her mobile phone.

The clip ends with a crowd, including a number of young children, gathering as the man is put into handcuffs and led into a police van.

Chris Topping, the victim's solicitor, said the man was left with cuts and bruises after the incident.

He was charged with assault on the two officers but was acquitted at the Community Justice Centre in Bootle in February.

Mr Topping said: 'The client contacted us after he had been acquitted in court and we made a claim for damages.  'The police came back fairly quickly with the offer.'

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said the force carefully considered the civil action and it was thoroughly examined by the force's legal team. He said: 'It was considered that in this case it was appropriate to make an offer of compensation to the claimant.

'Merseyside Police is determined to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and to ensure officers maintain professional standards at all times.

'The force recognises the importance of maintaining people's confidence and trust in the services we provide to our communities across Merseyside.'

Original report here


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