Man charged with assaulting police officer on train during argument over face mask
Footage shows man shouting ‘I do not have to wear a mask’ before altercation
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A man has been charged with assaulting a police officer during a row over face masks on a train.
Police were called to a report of a man coughing at passengers on a Merseyrail service to Liverpool Lime Street station on Wednesday.
Footage widely shared on social media showed a male passenger, who was not wearing a mask, arguing with an officer who asked him to leave the train.
The man refused to get off and said he had a medical condition, shouting: “You’re not allowed to touch me by law … I do not have to wear a mask, end of and you do not have to challenge me either, it’s against the law to challenge me as well.”
Coronavirus laws in England make it mandatory for all passengers on public transport to wear a face covering, apart from children under 11 and people with disabilities or certain health conditions.
A British Transport Police officer could be heard saying: “I’m not going to argue any more. You’re getting off or we’re taking you off.”
A physical struggle ensued as the officer attempted to move the passenger, telling him: “I’ll spray you, mate.”
Incapacitant spray was discharged and more police officers arrived, before the man was taken off the train.
Onlookers could be heard calling the police officer involved a “bully” and accusing him of being “on a power trip”.
Warning: strong language
A complaint has since been made to British Transport Police’s professional standards department and is being assessed.
Anthony Baldwin, 34, of Hawthorn Road in Little Sutton, has been charged with threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer.
He will appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates’ Court on 6 January.
Police guidance states that officers should engage with people without masks and encourage them to voluntarily follow guidance before enforcing the law.
The Public Health Regulations on face coverings give officers the power to “use reasonable force, if necessary” to remove people from public transport.
People breaking the law can be fined £100, with penalties rising to up to £3,200 for repeat offences.