Shocking footage shows a drunk 20-year-old being slammed against shutters by a female officer amid claims of two-tier policing and attackers escaping scot-free
A video that has gone viral across social media has sparked widespread outrage after showing a white teenager being viciously attacked by a group of men on Birmingham’s Broad Street, only for police to rush in and arrest him as the assailants fled.
The footage, captured in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, on the bustling city centre strip, has racked up millions of views and ignited a firestorm of anger, with furious viewers accusing officers of failing to protect the victim and instead targeting him.
In the clip, the young man, wearing a white T-shirt and shorts and described as heavily intoxicated, is seen backing away as three others close in during a confrontation outside a restaurant. One attacker in a black hoodie charges without warning, knocking the white teenager to the ground. Another delivers a jab to his head before the group casually walks away.
When police arrive moments later, a female officer in a hi-vis jacket storms towards the downed white lad. She grabs him and forces him hard against a shuttered shopfront, wrestling with him as he struggles to get up. Additional clips show the rough handling continuing, with officers heard swearing aggressively at the teenager:
“You’re going to walk to the car you f*ing dk!”
“Get in the f***ing car!”
Despite reports that bystanders told officers the white teenager had been randomly attacked, he was the one handcuffed, dragged and bundled into the back of a police car. More officers later arrived to assist with the arrest.
West Midlands Police have now confirmed a 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer following the disorder involving five men.
In their official statement, the force said: “Officers who were in the area attended and found a group of five men fighting. As the incident was being dealt with and the group dispersed, an officer was punched. One man was arrested. The man, 20, has been charged with assaulting a police officer and has been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on July 23.
“The incident has been reviewed, and we have no concerns over the officer’s actions and we are satisfied that they were reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.”
Critics have been quick to point out that no one appears to have been arrested or charged over the initial attack on the white teenager.
As street disorder and alcohol-fuelled violence continue to plague UK city centres, this latest row has left many questioning whether officers are more focused on protecting certain groups than on upholding the law for all. The 20-year-old remains on bail ahead of his court appearance next month.
