The police watchdog is investigating the arrest of a man who was pinned to the floor and muzzled by officers while his girlfriend pleaded with police at a London train station.
Video footage shot by a passerby showed IK Aihie being restrained by British Transport Police at London Bridge station after allegedly confronting officers who tried to intervene in the row he was having with his partner.
The probe will consider whether the BTP used excessive force amid claims that the 18-year-old was not told why he was being arrested despite asking multiple times.
The investigation has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission by the force – a procedure normally used only for the most serious of complaints.
Aihie said: “I hope there will now be a thorough investigation and I would ask any witnesses to my arrest to please contact the IPCC.”
His solicitor Shamik Dutta added: “It is imperative that all relevant evidence in this case is preserved without delay to ensure a robust inquiry into the officers’ conduct.”
Mirror Online has contacted BTP for comment.
In a video, four policemen could be seen holding Mr Aihie to the floor as he howled in pain.
One of the officers then appeared to press down hard on the teenager's head - before saying loudly "Don't spit at me, fella."
A few moments later, after Mr Aihie repeatedly requests to speak to a black police officer - a mesh known as a spit guard is placed over his head.
His girlfriend Jessica McConkey is seen arguing with a man in a hi-vis jacket, branding the treatment of her boyfriend "f***ing disgusting".
As hundreds of bemused commuters file past the melee, some take photos and film footage on their phones.
Ms McConkey tells the crowd: "Are you filming this? Please film this, please.
"Honestly, he's a young black boy, he's had an argument with his girlfriend. That is it."
The video was posted on Facebook and quickly went viral after the incident on the morning of July 21.
Mr Aihie was held overnight at a police station and given a caution under the Public Order Act.
A BTP spokesman said at the time: "The incident occurred shortly after 11.30pm when officers intervened in an argument between a man and a woman.
"The man then became aggressive towards the officers, at which point he was arrested.
"Whilst being held, he made a threat that he would spit at officers who then placed a spit guard on him.
"The man has since accepted a caution for an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act."
Writing on the Facebook video, both Ms McConkey and Mr Aihie gave their own versions of events.
Ms McConkey said: "We wasn't shouting or screaming, they heard me asking for my phone and jumped on him as if he had stolen it, what you don't see in this video is the activity that took place before.
"When we was asking why he was arrested, them refusing to tell us, and kicking him to the floor. I support the police and the work they do to protect us.
"But that was protecting it was them inflicting pain on an innocent boy because they were to ignorant to stop and listen to why was going on."
Mr Aihie added: "We (Jessica and I) just had a little argument, I walked off then I got pounced on by the two officers at the front of video. Then backup was there before I could even say anything."
BTP have been contacted for comment.
