Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Rochdale police station after footage of a police officer kicking and stomping on a man’s head was widely shared on social media.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it understood the “great sense of concern and worry that people feel” after the footage from Manchester Airport has emerged.

Police added that Wednesday evening’s demonstration ended “without incident.”

An estimated 200 people gathered outside the station, some shouting “GMP, shame on you!”

Paul Waugh, Labour and Co-Operative MP for Rochdale, said the man trampled and arrested in the “shocking and disturbing” video was from the town.

He added that he spoke to the man’s family last night and plans to meet them in person today.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (ACC) Wasim Chaudhry of Greater Manchester The police said that an officer had been “removed from his duties” in connection with the recordings.

It is assumed that the officer was not suspended.

The video, which is said to have been shot in Terminal 2 of the airport on Tuesday evening, shows a police officer with a taser in his hand apparently kicking and then stomping on the head of a man who is lying face down on the ground. A woman is kneeling next to him.

A second man was also beaten by the officer.

On Thursday morning, ACC Chaudhry added: “A protest held outside Rochdale Police Station last night against our actions at Manchester Airport concluded safely and without incident.

“We understand the deep concern and anxiety people feel about our response and fully respect their right to express their views peacefully.

“We have already reported our actions to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and will be holding further discussions with them today.

“We spent the evening listening to community feedback and will continue to work with communities and elected members to maintain strong partnerships and understand local views.”

ACC Chaudhry had previously described the video as “truly shocking” and said it showed images that “people are rightly extremely concerned about”.

Nusrit Mehtab, a former head of Scotland Yard, told Sky News this morning that she believed the police officer who kicked the man on the ground should be suspended.

When asked by presenter Kay Burley whether a kick to the head could ever be considered an appropriate response, Ms Mehtab replied: “Absolutely not… The person who was kicked in the head was already on the ground and had been tasered… There was no threat, no risk from that person.”

“The kick because (the suspect) raised his head and looked was cruel enough. And then the stomping on the head. Those two things together can never be justified.”

GMP said officers responded to reports of an assault at Terminal 2 at 8.25pm ​​on Tuesday.

“The alleged suspect was seen on a CCTV camera at a ticket machine in the car park and officers arrived at the scene to arrest him,” said ACC Chaudhry.

According to police, three officers were attacked during the operation. One female officer suffered a broken nose, while the other officers were thrown to the ground and suffered injuries that required hospital treatment.

GMP also acknowledged concerns about the “behaviour in the video” but said officers arrived at the scene with weapons and there was a “clear risk” that “their firearms would be taken away” during the altercation.

Police added that four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency services workers.

Eyewitness Amar told Sky News he heard shouting as he rounded a corner in the area. He heard: “You are under arrest, you are wanted.”

He said he then saw a man being “pushed against the wall” before “pushing and shoving” occurred.

Amar said he believed the man’s brother “ran towards him” at that moment and was then pushed to the ground and “kicked” by police.

Manchester Airport said on Wednesday: “We are aware of an incident involving officers from Greater Manchester Police yesterday. For this reason, the police are investigating the matter.”

“We will support the investigation in every way possible.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he had raised his concerns about the airport incident with the Deputy Chief Constable.

He said: “I have seen the disturbing video footage of a GMP officer at Manchester Airport which is circulating and am aware of the great and deep concern this has caused in Greater Manchester and beyond.

“The deputy mayor and I have raised these concerns with the deputy police chief.”