Footage has emerged showing Spanish police hurling voters down stairs and snatching ballot boxes from polling stations amid bitter clashes over the controversial independence referendum.

Video clips of violent conduct by officers have been shared widely on social media, prompting outrage from internet users and leading figures across Europe.

In one video, riot police can be seen forcibly pushing voters down a crowded flight of stairs in a polling station, causing people to fall backwards onto crowds.

One woman can then be seen being jostled out of the building by officers, who appear to violently grab her by the face during the process.

A number of other people are also dragged out of the building by the riot police, one of whom appears to be pulled out by their hair.

Children and elderly people can be seen among the crowds being subject to police force.

Separate video footage shows police officers storming a polling station, swiping the ballot boxes from tables and removing them from the premises.

At one stage, a man mounts a struggle with an officer by attempting to grab a box back, but ultimately throws it back at the officer, presumably out of fear.

People in the poling station then begin to hold their hands in the air and sing together in solidarity.

The footage has prompted outrage on social media, with one Twitter user, Gissur Simonarson, describing the police as “fascist thugs” and urging: “The people are peaceful”.

Another, named only Tom, said: “I can’t see there not being a violent response to this. My blood is boiling just watching the footage.”

Politicians from across Europe, including in the UK, have also condemned the action by Spanish enforcement authorities.

Jeremy Corbyn said the police brutality in Catalonia was “shocking” and urged the Spanish government to “act to end it now”.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meanwhile tweeted: “Regardless of views on independence, we should all condemn the scenes being witnessed.”

Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Show all 17 1 /17 Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A man faces off Spanish Civil Guards outside a polling station in Sant Julia de Ramis Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Riot police form a security cordon around the Ramon Llull school in Barcelona EPA Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Riot police evict a young woman during clashes between people gathered outside the Ramon Llull school in Barcelona EPA Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Spanish Civil Guard officers break through a door at a polling station in Sant Julia de Ramis Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Spanish National Police clash with pro-referendum supporters in Barcelona on Sunday AP Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Crowds raise their arms up as police move in on members of the public gathered outside to prevent them from voting in the referendum at a polling station where the President Carles Puigdemunt will vote later today Getty Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters People confront Spanish Civil Guard officers outside a polling station Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Three man hold each other as they try to block a Spanish police van from approaching a polling station AP Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A woman shows a ballot to a Spanish Civil Guard officer outside a polling station Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A man wearing a shirt with an Estelada (Catalan separatist flag) and holding carnations faces off with a Spanish Civil Guard officer Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Police try to control the area as people attempt to cast their ballot at a polling station in Barcelona Getty Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A man is grabbed by officers as police move in on the crowds Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Two women argue with a Spanish National policeman during clashes between Catalan pro-independence people and police forces at the Sant Julia de Ramis sports centre in Girona EPA Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Sant Julia De Ramis in Spain Getty Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Confrontation outside a polling station in Barcelona, where police have tried to stop people voting AFP/Getty Images Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A Spanish National Police officer aims a rubber-bullet rifle at pro-referendum supporters in Barcelona AP Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Riot police clashed with voters as polls opened in Barcelona Sky News

The Catalan government said 337 people have been injured “by the Spanish state police violence,” and accused Spanish police of responding with a “go get them” attitude.

Raül Romeva, the Catalan foreign minister, said: “We have initiated contacts with the EU about the violation of fundamental rights that puts the very same EU at risk.