Exclusive:Everything seen on police officer's body worn footage prior to Rawmarsh disturbance involving teens
The Star has been shown body worn footage of the moments leading up to the disturbance
The Star can reveal what can be seen and heard in body-worn footage from a police officer showing the moments before an incident captured in a viral video in which officers appeared to assault teenage girls.
The police response to the incident in the Rawmarsh area of Rotherham drew widespread criticism - with many voicing concerns suggesting officers had used excessive force - after it was shared widely on social media.
South Yorkshire Police (SYP) released a statement, agreeing that what was depicted in the incident was “nothing short of shocking,” as its Professional Standards Department launched a review.
But after the review was concluded, SYP said it had ultimately found that “considering what happened before and during the clip, the use of force was proportionate, necessary, and justified to keep all involved safe.”
The force did note, however, that the incident had highlighted an “opportunity for learning around de-escalation.”
It also said it had taken the “unprecedented step of requesting peer review from another police force” who upheld the determination.
After the review findings were published, The Star asked South Yorkshire Police to release some of the body-worn footage used to reach the determination.
The Star argued this was necessary, especially given the reference in their statement to the public’s trust and confidence in policing being “dependent on openness and accountability.”
South Yorkshire Police said it would not be able to release the footage to the public for “safeguarding and legal reasons”.
It did, however, agree to show the body-worn footage of the moments before the incident to The Star at its headquarters in Carbrook in a controlled environment in the presence of two press officers.
Body-worn footage of the moments leading up to the incident
The two-minute, 32 second footage, starting at 22.05.49, runs through to 22.08.17, the point at which the video which has been widely circulated online begins.
The precursor body-worn footage begins with the officer wearing the camera saying: “Let’s see how many shouts it takes,” as he walks towards a large group of young people.
As he walks towards the group of people, the officer can be heard saying: “Who’s organised all this?”
The officer continues walking towards the group, and speaking over the radio he can be heard saying: “Quite a lot of individuals here.”
He explains that a number of people sprinted off as police arrived, and that a lot of them are now over the road.
The officer then adds: “We’re getting quite swarmed at the moment.”
Another officer later notes: “Quite a lot of people are intoxicated.”
Dozens upon dozens of people can be seen on the street, although it is not possible to estimate the precise number of people present on the street.
A boy asks the officer: “What time is it,” to which the officer replies: “Time to get moving.”
He continues walking towards the group, and can be heard saying: “Right, clear the street, get moving.”
A girl walking past him can be heard responding: “Everyone’s going.”
A police car containing a firearms officer arrives on the scene, and the press officer mutes the audio due to operational sensitivities.
The firearm officer drives off a short time later, and the officer proceeds towards the crowd of people, most of whom are girls.
At this point, the SYP press officer points to the number of young people who can be seen leaning on a police car, which, they assert, is a safety hazard.
The officer can then be heard shouting: “Get off the car.”
He then shouts: “Clear the street, get off the car, keep moving.”
As this is happening, several people are standing close to the officer, some of whom appear to be intoxicated.
People can be heard swearing, and a couple of those captured on the footage can be seen scowling, seemingly in response to his presence on the street.
The officer shouts: “Stop swearing…get moving.”
He can then be heard saying: “Don’t touch me either,” although who or what he is responding to is not captured on the footage.
The officer can be seen pushing out at the crowd of people surrounding him, with straight, open hands on a number of occasions.
At this point, a press officer explains that officers are taught in safety training that it is not safe for anyone to be any closer to them than an arm’s length away in situations such as this.
They add that if they find someone is closer than an arm’s length away, a proportionate response is to push out with open hands.
The College of Policing refers to “open handed techniques” in some of its guidance, however it has not been possible to find publicly-available information on what is and what is not included within such techniques.
The College of Policing has been asked to provide clarity, and further details, on this matter.
Some of those surrounding the officer can be heard saying “he pushed her” or “he hit her” at this point, some are shouting and seem visibly concerned and outraged.
A bottle can then be seen flying through the air, towards the officer, and as it appears to make contact with his head, a crunch-type noise can be heard.
The group continue shouting and remonstrating with the officer, as more people come towards him.
The incident captured on the video shared on social media begins a short time later.
It shows officers pulling tasers on a group of teenagers, getting into a shoving match with a group of young girls and pulling out a baton.
The press officer points out that while the officer can be seen to raise his extendable baton, he holds it in the air, and does not use it.
Similarly, they explain that whilst the tasers were produced, they too were not deployed, and it was hoped that the crowd may disperse at the sight of them.
The Star was shown a few pieces of footage after the incident circulated online, in which a second officer with a visible wound to his eye comes up to the officer wearing the body-worn camera and explains he’s been assaulted.
In response, the officer says he has been hit over the head with a bottle about three times.
Additional information provided by South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police’s press office confirmed the incident took place after they received a report of “approximately 100” young people fighting in the street on Moordale View, Rawmarsh, Rotherham at 9.50pm on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The press office also told The Star that, during the course of that phone call, an individual could reportedly be heard saying someone involved in the disturbance “had a weapon.”
However, no weapon was seen or reported by officers who attended the scene.
Following the incident, a 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
She was subsequently released, and remains on bail.
Two officers were injured in the incident, one of whom required hospital treatment.
South Yorkshire Police statement
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “ For safeguarding and legal reasons, we are unable to publicly release the body worn video footage – as per the Sheffield Star’s request.
“However, we understand the significant interest in this incident and the role the media play in holding public bodies to account.
“We are committed to openness and transparency so, in compliance with national guidance, we facilitated a reportable media briefing with the Star, showing footage, to aid their reporting of the assessment that the response was proportionate, necessary, and justified to keep all involved safe.”