Assault charges have been dropped against a couple who were dragged to the floor and arrested while trying to buy a trolley-load of bo...
Assault charges have been dropped against a couple who were dragged to the floor and arrested while trying to buy a trolley-load of bottled water in Tesco.
The police watchdog has launched an investigation into Greater Manchester Police after Nasir Hussain, 28, and Mahira Hussain, 28, were restrained and hauled to the ground in Rochdale.
The married couple were accused of assaulting a constable, but had the charges against them dropped at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court yesterday.
Their arrest followed an incident in which staff refused to let them buy more than 20 bottles of mineral water when they brought a trolley-load of flavoured Volvic up to the counter.
Footage of the incident was widely shared on social media.
Now the The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating GMP's handling of the incident following a complaint alleging excessive use of force and discrimination.
IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe: "After careful assessment, we have taken the decision to launch an investigation into this incident following the complaint referred to us.
"I am aware that the footage, which has been circulated in the media and on social media, is causing concern.
"This, as well as the serious allegations made in the complaint, means it is vital for public confidence that we look independently at the circumstances and the actions of the officers involved."
Following the dispute between Mr Hussain, a Tesco employee and a police officer, his wife filmed her partner being restrained by the officer.
Mrs Hussain was then hauled to the floor herself and arrested after allegedly trying to intervene, while a Tesco employee stood in the way of the camera.
Video filmed by Mrs Hussain appeared to show how the scenes unfolded with the pair standing next to trolley full of bottled water at the checkout.
Speaking to the camera, Mr Hussain said: "So, we're in Tesco, Rochdale, and for some reason they've got a different policy to every other Tesco up and down the country. Every other Tesco we managed to get these Volvic bottles, as many as we want.
"We're not retailers, we're not wholesalers, we just want them for our home but unfortunately in this Tesco we've been told that we're only allowed ten bottles each."
In the footage, a security guard steps in and asks them to stop filming, saying it is forbidden on private property.
The woman tells him: "At the end of the day, we just wanna buy the water. We buy it in every store."
A police officer then approaches and asks what the problem is. When he realises he is being filmed he turns his back to the camera and asks the couple to switch it off - which they do.
But the woman resumes filming moments later as the officer is trying to lead her partner towards the store exit.
He stands his ground and tells the officer: "I was already walking. You didn't need to escort me. Can you just clarify something for me?"
But the officer refuses to discuss the matter any further and grabs the man by his clothing.
He then appears to swing his right arm towards the man's head, who ducks out of the way before his partner steps in.
She screams "get off me" when the officer takes hold of her, as she clings to a nearby checkout and resists.
Her husband, now being restrained on the ground by another officer, shouts: "I didn't do anything. When are you allowed to punch someone for doing nothing? You wanna know what racism is? This is what it f ***ing looks like."
The first officer then hauls the sobbing woman to the floor, with more of his colleagues rushing into view as the footage cuts out.
Mr Hussain accused the police of using excessive force.
The self-employed online retailer said: "To be honest I'm absolutely shocked something like this could ever happen. It's really knocked my trust in everything. From a young age I've always thought if you have a problem, call a police officer.
"I don't think I will ever ask a police officer for help again in my life. The water was just for home, my missus drinks two litres of Volvic a day.
"She's a secondary school teacher and the bottled water is kind of her trademark, she's very popular at the school.
"We'd already put half the bottles through the checkout when the manager said you can't take that many. I was embarrassed because there were a lot of people in the queue and I did get annoyed but I was just trying to explain that other Tescos had sold us the same amount in the past and it wasn't a problem.
"They had loads of water left on the shelves but the manager said call security.
"Then I saw the police officer and called him but as soon as he came over I got this sinking feeling in my stomach. He wasn't interested in hearing my side of the story.
"He arrested me and my partner without warning and used excessive force, I think he lost the plot. I was trying to buy something from the shop, not steal something and I got arrested.
"The worst part for me was being on the ground while they were arresting my partner. I couldn’t do anything to help her, she's only 5ft1 as well, very petite.
"She wasn't posing a physical threat to anybody.
"When my dad heard about what happened he said I should've just stayed quiet, but when he saw the videos he changed his opinion. My whole family is in shock.
"I don’t know how they've charged us for this. I've never been convicted of anything in my life or had a punch thrown at me but I think if you're going to bully people and use excessive force then people have a right to defend themselves in that moment.
"I can't remember everything that happened but if the officer got hurt then he either did it to himself or it happened accidentally as I was trying to defend myself. Neither of us attacked the officer."
In a statement, GMP said: "On Monday 29 October 2018 police were made aware of the Crown Prosecution Service's intention to discontinue an investigation into two people who were arrested on suspicion of police assault following an incident at Tesco on Silk Street, Rochdale.
"As this matter is being independently investigated by the IOPC, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
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