Footage of a police officer kicking a man in the head at Manchester Airport has been shared across social media.

The incident happened at the airport's Terminal 2 on Tuesday evening at just after 8.30pm.

Greater Manchester Police said the incident following an earlier altercation where three officers were violently assaulted.  In a further update police said the officer had been removed from duties but had not been suspended.

In the footage being shared across WhatsApp and social media a man is seen lying face down and is being shielded by an elderly woman.

He is being tasered and then an officer proceeds to boot him in the head and then stamp on his head as people watch on.

The elderly woman attempts to shield the man who was already lying helpless on the floor and had made no attempt to get up.

Another man with his hand behind his head is seated close to where the incident is taking place.

He is then told to lie on the ground and threatened with a taser by an officer.

Both men are then restrained by officers as the elderly woman, who is believed to the mother of the man who was kicked by the officer, moves away.

Two officers also kneel on one man who has made no attempt to get up.

Another visibly shocked female officer attempts to diffuse the situation.

Greater Manchester Police said during the earlier incident a female officer suffered a broken nose and a total of four people were arrested.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Officers were called to reports of an altercation between members of the public in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.

“Whilst attempting to arrest one of the suspects of the earlier altercation, three officers were subject to a violent assault, where they were punched to the ground. A female officer suffered a broken nose and all three were taken to hospital for treatment.

“As the attending officers were firearms officers, there was a clear risk during this assault of their firearms being taken from them

 “Four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.

“We acknowledge the concerns of the conduct within the video, and our Professional Standards Directorate are assessing this.”

In a further statement this evening (Wednesday) Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said: “We know that a film of an incident at Manchester Airport that is circulating widely shows an event that is truly shocking, and that people are rightly extremely concerned about.

"The use of such force in an arrest is an unusual occurrence and one that we understand creates alarm.

“In advance of what is shown in the footage available, we were called to reports of an assault at Terminal 2, Manchester Airport at 8.25pm on Tuesday 23 July.

“The alleged suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park and officers attended the location to arrest him."

He added: “One male officer has been removed from operational duties and we are making a voluntary referral of our policing response to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

“Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of emergency worker, affray, and obstructing police.

“Two other men have also been arrested on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker.”

MP Afzal Khan posted today: "I'm aware of an incident at Manchester Airport where officers appear to use excessive force against an unarmed civilian.

"I've spoken to @gmpolice and the local MP and urge GMP to provide meaningful reassurances to the community and refer themselves to the IOPC as a matter of urgency."

Manchester Airport said they did not comment on incidents as this was a police matter.