A police officer has been filmed appearing to hit a man after the force raided a cafe with "approximately 100 people present".

The incident took place just after 12pm on Sunday, February 8, when the police received a call of a coronavirus breach inside a cafe in Burnage, Manchester.

Video shared on social media shows the cafe is fully packed with customers waiting for their orders at the tables.

Most of them are seen not wearing face masks while the two police officers try to talk to the cafe owner.

The pair then lead a man outside the restaurant as others chant and jeer.

A scuffle breaks out when one of the policemen tries to arrest the man, who wears a black short-sleeved t-shirt.

The man resists to be handcuffed and flees just as the officer tries to grab him and knock his movement by grabbing his shoulder.

Customers watching from aside intervene and yell: "Why did you punch him?"

Greater Manchester Police said they arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker and resisting arrest.

In a statement published yesterday, they added: "GMP is aware of a video circulating online involving a man who appears to be struck by a police officer.

"This incident happened whilst a 38-year-old man was being arrested on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker and resisting arrest.

"He remains in custody for questioning."

They also mentioned that the officers were responding to reports of non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions by a cafe on Burnage Lane in Manchester.

"Officers attended and in line with procedure, attempted to engage with individuals and disperse attendees," the statement continued.

"This resulted in an officer being assaulted."

The force has also handed 14 Fixed Penalty Notices to the people in attendance.

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