Shocking video footage appears to show a police officer striking a cafe worker during a raid.
Greater Manchester Police said it is investigating after the clip was widely shared on social media.
It happened as police responded to an allegation that 100 people were inside a cafe in Burnage yesterday afternoon, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Police said it happened while they were arresting a 38-year-old man on suspicion of assault and resisting arrest.
The video, which has been widely circulated on social media shows a man being apprehended by two police officers.
A scuffle takes place before the footage appears to show a male police officer strike the suspect in the face.
Bystanders can be heard to shout ‘get your hands off him,’ whilst another says ‘a police officer has just punched him in the face.’
A further altercation appears to take place before the male suspect is detained by two officers from GMP.
He remains in custody for questioning.
GMP said they are ‘aware of the footage’ circulating online and are ‘continuing to assess the circumstances of the incident.’
“Police were responding to reports of non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions by a café on Burnage Lane in Manchester,” a spokesperson said.
“Officers attended and in line with procedure, attempted to engage with individuals and disperse attendees.
“This resulted in an officer being assaulted.
“GMP are aware of the footage circulating online and are continuing to assess all the circumstances of the incident, including this footage as well as other footage obtained, at what remains an early stage in the investigation.”
