"Use of force was proportionate," say police after review into school leaving do disturbance
“Considering what happened before and during the clip, the use of force was proportionate, necessary, and justified”
Police have concluded that officers’ use of force during a disturbance involving a group of teenagers was proportionate, necessary, and justified.
A viral clip shared widely on social media allegedly 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.
Further clips appear to show officers accusing girls - who are believed to have been at a school leaving do earlier in the evening - of “disturbing the peace” and punching them in the face or knocking them to the ground.
The conduct of police, as captured on the video, has attracted critcism online in recent days.
Now, in a statement released tonight (Tuesday, June 23, 2026), South Yorkshire Police say that a review into the incident has determined that the officers’ use of force was “justified.”
The force also says that the clip circulated on social media “captures only a few seconds” of a much longer police response to an emergency call.
The South Yorkshire Police statement, in full, reads: “As is often the case, the clip which has been posted on social media shows only a few seconds of a much longer police response to a 999 call - reporting a fight involving many young people.
“Having viewed the clip in isolation, it is understandable that local and wider communities have some concerns.
“Our Professional Standards Department has now reviewed all available footage, including Body Worn Video, and written accounts from all officers.
“The assessment has determined that there is an opportunity for learning around de-escalation but, considering what happened before and during the clip, the use of force was proportionate, necessary, and justified to keep all involved safe.
“The public’s trust and confidence in policing is dependent on openness and accountability.
“As such, while this incident did not meet the national criteria for independent assessment, we took the unprecedented step of requesting peer review from another police force. The review upheld the determination.”