Shocking moment police officer slaps dangerous driving suspect in the face while arresting him as force opens investigation into the footage

A video circulating on social media of a police officer slapping a dangerous driver in the face is being investigated by Lancashire Police.

The footage shows two uniformed officers restraining the driver of a car in Blackpool, before one of them struck the man on the side of the head while they were placing handcuffs on him.

The man in the incident, which is believed to have taken place at around 5pm on Tuesday, has been revealed as 21-year-old Kyle McCullough. The video was published on social media shortly after the incident took place on Tuesday evening.

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Lancashire Police are investigating a video of an officer slapping a dangerous driver while restraining him in Blackpool

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The man (middle) has been named as Kyle McCullough, 21, who was restrained by two officer on suspicion of dangerous driving, public order and obstructing a police officer

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: 'We are aware of footage circulating on social media regarding an incident in Blackpool earlier today and we're reviewing the footage.

'A 21-yr-old man from Blackpool has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, public order & obstructing a police officer and is in custody.'

Mr McCullough has since been charged with driving without due care and attention, using threatening behavior likely to cause harassment alarm or distress and obstructing an officer. 

The video appears to be taken by a friend of Mr McCullough.

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Mr McCullough has since been charged with driving without due care and attention, using threatening behavior likely to cause harassment alarm or distress and obstructing an officer

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The man who filmed the video (not pictured) said the two officers struggled to put the handcuffs on Mr McGullough on two occasions

He also claims that the officers 'messed up' putting the handcuffs on Mr McCullough on two occasions. 

Mr McCullough is set to appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court on July 7. 

It is the second time footage of Lancashire police officers have been shared on social media since the coronavirus lockdown began in the UK.

In April, an officer from Accrington Police was caught saying he would 'make something up' in order to get 24-year-old Adam Kidger arrested for breaching lockdown laws. 

The officer was suspended from duty following an investigation and Lancashire Constabulary were forced to apologise after the footage went viral on social media.