Investigation launched after video shows police medic 'punching protester in the head'

An investigation is underway after footage appeared to show a police medic repeatedly punching a protester in the head.

The incident reportedly occurred as thousand of protesters marched in North London for a demonstration against Turkey’s military action in Afrin, a Kurdish city in Syria.

In the footage, the man lies face down on the ground while a Metropolitan Police officer wearing a green cross medic badge punches him four times.

He is then subsequently restrained with the support of another officer.

It is not known if the man was later arrested, or the circumstances that led to the initial incident.

The footage was recorded on Saturday January 27, before being shared by Telegraf, a London based Kurdish newspaper.

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In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the footage has now been passed to its professional standards branch for a full investigation.

‘We are aware of a video posted on social media’, a spokesperson said.

‘We are in the process of establishing the circumstances of the incident. The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.’