Shocking moment police officer 'PUNCHES grandmother, 50, in the face in front of her grandchildren' while arresting her 'drunk and disorderly' son

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This is the shocking moment a grandmother was punched to the ground by a police officer as they arrested her son for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Colleen Murphy, 50, was left with a lump on her head and bruise on the side of her face after a member of the force allegedly punched her outside a Sainsbury's store in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on August 7 at around 9pm. 

Ms Murphy's son had gone into the supermarket with his sister Danielle to buy snacks for his children while his mother took money out of a nearby cash machine. 

However after Ms Murphy was refused entry into the store a scuffle soon broke out and Ms Murphy's son was pinned to the ground by officers. 

Footage from the scene shows the grandmother, who is wearing a long grey cardigan, approach the officers arresting her son and attempt to speak with them.

Colleen Murphy, 50, was left with a lump on her head and bruise on the side of her face after the scuffle outside a Sainsbury's store in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on August 7 

Ms Murphy's son is held to the ground by members of the forces as his children watch in horror

The clip then appears to show one officer punch the grandmother in the face before she falls to the ground in front of her grandchildren.

Just moments later, a police officer drags Ms Murphy's son across the car park as members of the public watch in horror. 

Greater Manchester Police have said the incident has now been referred to its Professional Standards Department who will review the body-cam footage from officers.

Ms Murphy's daughter, Danielle Willisford, said she and her brother had left the Sainsbury's store when they were met by police officers.

She told the Manchester Evening News: 'Me and my brother came out with a few beers and something for the kids to eat and we were getting told what had gone on - they couldn't go in and anyway the police turned up.

'They come over and my brother said ''right we've sorted the situation you don't need to be here''.

'They started saying we're all barred, my brother said ''what do you mean I'm barred, I've just come out of Sainsbury's and we weren't told we were barred. We did nothing wrong - just went shopping''.

'My brother goes to the security guard ''I'm not barred, am I?'' and there were three policemen: one woman and two men. 

One officer appears to punch the grandmother, who is wearing a long grey cardigan, in the face before she falls to the ground

Ms Murphy's son, who had gone into the supermarket with his sister Danielle to buy snacks, in detained by officers

A police officer drags Ms Murphy's son across the car park as members of the public watch

'He stepped into Sainsbury's and then the policeman in the yellow top said ''you are barred, I just told you, you are barred'' and then started shouting and my brother just said ''will you please get out of my face I've done nothing wrong''.

'Anyway, he grabbed him and flung him onto the floor and the full video is what happened after that.' 

Ms Willisford added: 'So my mum as he has punched my brother in the head has walked over and said ''you're hurting him, stop hurting my son''. She's a touchy-feely person and she was under the influence of alcohol. The way he hit her, he could have killed her.

'She's got a massive lump on her head and bruise on the side of her face. She's 50 years old. 

'He's flung her, for nothing. She went over and touched his head, she's panicking, obviously, she shouldn't have touched him.' 

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: 'Greater Manchester Police are aware of a video circulating online which shows an altercation between officers and a member of the public whilst a man is being arrested. 

Ms Murphy's daughter, Danielle Willisford, said her mother had been refused entry into the store before the scuffle broke out

'This incident took place after police were called just after 9pm on 7 August and responded to a report of a disturbance on Union Street, Oldham.

'A 31-year old-male was subsequently arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

'At the time of his arrest a crowd had gathered, and footage of the incident has been uploaded onto social media.

'The footage shows an altercation with members of the public attempting to intervene, while officers placed the man under arrest.

'The man received a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for being drunk and disorderly. There were no injuries reported.

'The incident has been referred to our Professional Standards Department, who will review the Body Worn Video of events leading up to the arrest, along with the footage posted.

'Enquiries are ongoing to identify those present, and we would encourage any bystanders to get in touch with us on 0161 856 9521, quoting log number 2985 of 07/08/21.'