South Yorkshire police have said they will hold a “full and open” investigation after a 16-year-old boy sustained a head injury after apparently bring struck by a police officer following a football match.
A video appearing to show a police officer hitting the boy with a baton was shared on social media following Sheffield Wednesday’s match against Barnsley on Saturday. The footage shows the boy bleeding from his head.
South Yorkshire police said a 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital in an ambulance after “sustaining a head injury from an officer’s baton”. They said an officer had also received injuries to his stomach and head, for which he attended hospital.
Ch Supt Sarah Poolman, the match commander, said: “On Saturday 8 February, following the Barnsley V Sheffield Wednesday match our officers responded to disorder outside the transport interchange [in Barnsley].
“A full, open investigation, including extended video footage, will take place to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the actions which led to a 16-year-old boy sustaining a head injury from an officer’s baton, and an officer being assaulted, sustaining injuries to his stomach and head.
“The 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital by ambulance. The police officer also attended hospital. Both of their injuries are not life-threatening.”
It has not yet been decided whether the incident will be reported to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The force said a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency services worker and has since been released under investigation. It asked witnesses with any video footage of the incident to get in contact.
