FOOTAGE showing a 12-year-boy being pinned against a wall and later arrested has sparked fury from critics, saying the film was “shocking”.

The footage of the cop’s actions was taken at a North Tyneside Metro station on Sunday with the film then appearing on Facebook with critics labelling it “shocking”.

5 The cop appears to pin the 12-year-old boy to the wall in the metro station Credit: HotSpot Media

One witness alleged the incident was sparked by a group of youths throwing snowballs.

The clip, taken at North Shields metro station at about 8.10pm, appears to show the cop speaking to the hooded youth close to the station’s entrance, where the boy can be heard protesting his innocence.

The minor fracas then seems to break out between the two.

The witness who filmed the incident, who does not wish to be named, believes the situation could have been dealt with “better,” according to The Chronicle.

5 A spokesperson for the Northumbria Police said they were looking at the circumstances around the arrest Credit: HotSpot Media

5 According to one witness the events were triggered by a group of youths throwing snowballs Credit: HotSpot Media

5 The footage was uploaded to Facebook with critics saying the clip was 'shocking' Credit: Facebook

5 The Facebook footage appears to show the cop spinning the lad round before pinning him up against the wall Credit: HotSpot Media

They said: “The whole situation could of been dealt in a better way. The child is 12, not a 21-year-old man.

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“I’m 90% certain this started over the lad and his friends throwing snowballs, and it just so happens his friends got away.”

A Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed the force is “looking into the circumstances around the arrest”.

They said: “A 12-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty.

“He has since been released under investigation and enquiries into that incident are ongoing. The force can also confirm we are looking into the circumstances around the arrest.”

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