Police review launched after Bluewater row shows man arguing with police after being asked to wear mask
20:31, 23 October 2020
Police have launched a review after footage went viral of a man being escorted from Bluewater in a row about him not wearing a face covering.
The two minute long clip of a man refusing to leave the Greenhithe shopping centre after being asked to by an officer has gone viral on Twitter.
Around 50,000 people have seen the video, posted by 'Danny G' on social media, who said he was exempt from wearing a mask due to a disability, but failed to say what when asked.
The footage shows a Kent Police officer asking the man to leave the shopping centre while saying "you are an aggressive problem, you need to go".
A Bluewater security guard is also seen in the video attempting to usher Danny to the door, before saying: "You're being aggressive to the police officer and disregarding him, so need to leave."
The Twitter user, who has retweeted a number of posts labelling the virus as a "plandemic" and "scandemic", wrote: "This just happened I showed the Government exemption card.
"However I am pushed and bullied to the nearest exit. Make officer 11196 of the Kent Police famous. Complaint in action."
'On this occasion it was deemed proportionate to escort the man off of the premises...'
In response to the video, a police spokesman said: "At around 1.20pm on Thursday a Kent Police officer on a routine patrol of Bluewater shopping centre was notified by security personnel that a man had been asked to leave for not wearing a face covering.
"In line with the force’s policing approach to the pandemic, the officer sought to engage with the individual to explain the latest government guidance and encouraged them to adhere to it.
"Only as a last resort is enforcement action taken and, on this occasion, it was deemed proportionate to escort the man off of the premises
"A complaint has since been received and a review of the circumstances, which will include assessing the officer's body worn camera footage, is ongoing.
"The complainant will be updated in due course and it is therefore not appropriate to comment any further at this time."
The video was met with a mixed response from social media users, with one person saying: "No one likes wearing a mask, and I don’t know if they help or not, but is it really that much of a hassle just to put one on?"
While others slammed the police officer for his actions, claiming they were "unacceptable".
