Lancashire Police take action against officer who was filmed kicking drink driving suspect in the head

A Lancashire Police officer has been removed from operational duties after he was filmed kicking a drink driving suspect in the head.

The ugly incident was filmed outside SPAR in Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle at around 12.30pm on Friday and was later shared on social media.

In the video, the officer was filmed dragging the driver out of a Ford Focus and wrestling him to the floor before stamping on his back as another officer applied handcuffs.

He is then seen swinging a kick at the man's head and repeatedly slapping the suspect who was detained on the ground.

READ MORE: Lancashire Police officer filmed kicking man in head in Oswaldtwistle arrest

Lancashire Police said the officer was responding to reports of a drink driver. No explanation has been given for the officer's behaviour at this stage.

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The force said the officer has been removed from operational roles while the incident is investigated by the Constabulary's professional standards department.

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of the video, and it is being investigated by our professional standards department.

"The officer has been removed from operational roles until the matter is investigated."

Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden declined to comment. Mr Snowden said it would be inappropriate to do so at this stage because the Commissioner is part of the review body for the police complaint appeals process.