Teenager hit by police baton after football violence ‘could have been killed’

'Two lads were scrapping and then he runs in and hits one in the head which was uncalled for completely,' says witness

A 16-year-old teenager who was hit over the head by a police officer’s baton “could have been killed”, said the man who filmed the altercation.

South Yorkshire Police is investigating the incident, which took place after a football game between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

An fight broke out between two sets of fans of the rival teams after the match and was recorded by Barnsley fan Spencer White.

Mr White posted the video on Facebook, with the caption: “I thought [police] were supposed to protect people. Disgusting. The second copper also smashed my phone which I didn’t think was allowed.

“Two lads were scrapping and then he runs in and hits one in the head which was uncalled for completely.”

He told the PA news agency there were “fights popping off randomly” between fans in the area when the match ended.

“As I got to the train station there were two lads fighting, one a Barnsley fan and one a Sheffield Wednesday fan.

“I pulled out my phone to record it and the video shows the rest,” he said.

The footage showed the teenager being hit on the head with a baton, and additional photos showed blood coming out of his head.

Mr White, also 16, said: “He could have been killed, really.”

His post on Facebook attracted over 3,000 comments, with many people criticising the baton holder as using “excessive force”.

Match commander and chief superintendent Sarah Poolman said in a statement: “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.

“A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency service worker. He has been released under investigation.”

She also asked for any witnesses or anyone with video footage of the incident to contact 101 quoting incident 232 of 8 February 2020.