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Shocking video footage shows the moment a man is punched in the face by uniformed police who are already restraining him on the ground.
The video shows three uniformed officers from Avon and Somerset Police pinning a man to the ground as he lies on his back in Yeovil.
The incident is currently under police investigation.
In the video footage, police lean on the restrained man's chest as they appear to handcuff him.
When the restrained man speaks, the male officer raises his arm above his head - as if he is threatening to hit him.
He drops his arm back down but then suddenly raises it again and punches him directly in the face.
There is no indication as to what preceded the incident, or provoked the police restraint in the first place.
The officer who punched him rubs his wrist as if the force of the blow injured his own arm as another officer tries to help the man to his feet.
However the man lies on his side and seems unable to get up.
The officer is asked for identification as he shows his ID number clearly to the camera.
Two officers – including the officer who dealt the blow – try again to assist the man to his feet.
But he looks dazed and his eye is already starting to swell following the impact.
His head drops down as he slumps to the ground again but the police hold his arms and try to get him up as he collapses.
Four police and two paramedics appear to be at the scene.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: 'We're aware of the video circulating on Facebook which shows officers detaining a man in Yeovil.
'While we welcome and expect public scrutiny when officers are out serving our communities, it is important that all the available evidence is reviewed.
'We know this footage might cause concern but it is important that all the circumstances are independently investigated which will be conducted immediately by our Professional Standards Department.
'As part of these enquiries, the body worn video footage from the officers who attended the incident will be examined.'
At the time of publishing this article the Facebook post had received 260K views and 5,367 shares on the social media platform.
Luke Harris, who shared the video on Facebook condemned the incident.
He wrote: 'Watch it all. Avon and Somersets finest. This guy was detained under the mental health act. (Not a criminal) whilst 3 officers had him in cuffs he was punched without being able to defend himself. I think this is wrong.'
Hev Moore also commented: 'No need for that copper to punch him is disgraceful am so shocked sack him.'
However Ben Nemo Kerr wrote: 'Here we go everyone randomly turns into knowing the law apparently not knowing the full story before hand of what happens.'
And Chloe Clark said: 'Even if this is half a story doesn't mean he deserves to get punched in the face, if we punch them we get in a lot of trouble so why doesn't he? He is a man of the law, he shouldn't be handling people like this.'