Footage widely shared online shows a group of young girls in party dresses surrounding at least six officers in Rawmarsh, Rotherham. The incident has sparked concerns among local and wider communities.
One of the officers appears to shove one of the teenagers before drawing his baton. The use of force has been defended by South Yorkshire Police, who claim it was 'justified and proportionate'. The force also acknowledged that there was 'an opportunity for learning around de-escalation'.
The incident began with a 999 call reporting a fight involving many young people. The police responded to the situation, but a clip shared on social media shows only a few seconds of the much longer response. The force has taken the unusual step of requesting a peer review from another police force, which upheld their determination.
The police force emphasized the importance of openness and accountability in maintaining public trust and confidence in policing. They acknowledged that the incident has caused concerns and have taken steps to address them.
