Police have launched an investigation after an officer was filmed threatening to “make something up” in order to arrest a man.
Footage of the incident, shared online, shows a young man protesting that he’s “done nothing wrong” as the unnamed police officer confronts him.
The man, believed to be from Accrington, Lancashire, said he was out picking up a quad bike he’d just bought when he was pulled over by police on Friday afternoon.
In the video, he can be heard saying: “You’re harassing me, what for? I’ve done nothing wrong.”
The officer then squares up to him – failing to keep a two-metre distance – and shouts: “Sit in your car and shut up.”
He uses expletives while adding: “I’ll lock you up… I’ll make something up… who are they going to believe, me or you?”
The following day, Lancashire Police apologised for the officer’s “completely unacceptable” behaviour and language and said they would be conducting an investigation.
Chief Constable Andy Rhodes said in a statement: “The footage shows language and behaviour from one officer which were completely unacceptable and for this I apologise without reservation.
“We recognise the impact that this behaviour will have had, both on the young man concerned, and on the hard-earned trust and confidence of the wider public, particularly the comments about making offences up.
“It only takes one incident like this to undo the hard work of so many.”
