Arabic version: شرطة غرب أستراليا تراجع توقيف مراهق بعد إصابته

According to ABC News, Western Australia Police are reviewing the circumstances of a 17-year-old’s arrest outside the Metro Hotel on Hay Street in Perth’s CBD after he was injured while handcuffed and taken to the ground by an officer.

Police said officers attended the hotel at 12:40am on Thursday after reports that two people were causing a disturbance outside. Video recorded from a residential balcony across the street showed three officers speaking with two males near the entrance. One officer appeared to search the teenager’s hoodie and pockets while another officer held his shoulder.

The footage then showed an officer grab the teenager and take him to the pavement while his hands were cuffed behind his back. The search continued while he was face down before he was lifted and seated on the footpath. Kayla Gray, who filmed the arrest, said she was shocked by what she saw and described the force as excessive.

A WA Police spokesperson said the teenager was brought to the ground after a short exchange because of verbal threats that he was armed with a knife. The boy suffered a minor head laceration and received medical treatment, police said. He was later released from custody and issued an infringement notice for disorderly behaviour.

Police said their review would examine officer body-worn camera footage and any force used during the arrest. Perth lawyer John Hammond said the video alone could not establish the full circumstances. He said police may have had legal power to use force if the reported threat involving a knife was made.