Police bosses are reviewing a video that shows an officer bringing a 14-year-old boy to the ground with a knee to his midriff.

A complaint has been made regarding the arrest of the youngster amid rowdy scenes in Park Road, Margate.

Officers attended the Dane Park area of the town on Sunday, May 5, following several calls that groups of teens - some possibly in possession of weapons - were planning to meet there.

A dispersal order had already been put in place, giving police additional powers to move on anyone causing nuisance, harassment or distress.

Footage recorded that day shows a large group of young people near the park and two male police officers.

One boy approaches one of the officers, saying: “What’s your problem fam? What’s your problem fam?”

The officer then pushes the teen back and against a brick wall, asking: “Why are you running around shoving people? Stand still.”

A second officer goes over to assist, but another boy wearing a grey hoody then also approaches and appears to put his hands on the constable.

This officer can be seen to grab hold of the teen’s hoody and there is a brief struggle between the pair.

The boy then drops his arms and moments later the officer strikes him in what appears to be his lower abdomen with his knee, before pulling him to the ground.

People in the crowd can be heard exclaiming “What the f***” and “Oh my God.”

The officer then shouts at the boy, now pinned on the ground, “Don’t move - stay there now”, as he attempts to handcuff him.

Having been viewed almost 5,000 times, the video has prompted a large reaction on social media.

One user commented: “Whatever had happened prior, I am shocked.

“I just watched a policeman hold the lad, then knee the young lad in the stomach!

“The boy wasn't even moving! Absolutely shocking if that policeman doesn't get a b******ing.

“If he can't make appropriate decisions in high-pressure situations he should change jobs.”

Another wrote: “No matter what has happened, that's not acceptable. It’s actually vile.”

Two girls, aged 14 and 15, were also arrested during the incident.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “Following several calls that groups of young people, some possibly in possession of weapons, were planning to meet in the Dane Park area of Margate on Sunday, May 5, Kent Police put in place a dispersal order giving officers additional powers to move on anyone causing nuisance, harassment or distress.

“This followed a report of an assault involving a group of people in the park on Friday, May 3, and recurring anti-social behaviour.

“While responding to emergency calls about the behaviour of a large group of young people on May 5, a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and a 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. A 15-year-old girl was also arrested on suspicion of breaching a dispersal order.

“A complaint has since been received regarding one of the arrests and this is currently being reviewed.”

The complaint is understood to refer to the arrest of the boy kneed by the officer.

When approached by KentOnline, the Police Federation – the statutory staff association for all police officers – said it could not comment on a live investigation.