Video footage has been released showing the moment a man was arrested by approximately a dozen police officers during a pre-planned anti-drug operation in Brixton. The Met Police was conducting Operation Zarina on Thursday (1 September) when violence broke out near Brixton Underground station.

One police officer was injured in the outbreak, which played out in front of a packed Brixton High Street and resulted in three arrests. One person was arrested for assault on police and two people were arrested for obstruction. The trio were taken to a south London police station, where they remain in custody.

Video footage from the scene showed the moment a group of officers led one suspect towards a police van, but the number of personnel involved drew criticism. One witness said on Twitter: "They made themselves look ridiculous. Rows of police with hands on the shoulders of the row in front. At what cost?"

Brixton arrest
Three people were arrested in Brixton after violence broke out during a pre-planned operation in south London

A Met police spokesperson said: "Police were in Brixton town centre on Thursday, 1 September conducting a pre-planned operation. Whilst officers were attempting to speak to a market trader a number of people gathered and interrupted officers from performing their duties.

"This led to an officer being injured. He did not require medical treatment. One person was arrested for assault on police and two people were arrested for obstruction. They were taken to a south London police station where they remain in custody." The spokesperson did not know what the man in the video was detained for.

Part of the operation saw officers and police dogs monitor activity at Brixton station, which serves the Northern and Victoria lines: