UK teens who ‘mocked and re-enacted George Floyd death on Snapchat’ arrested

The three teenagers aged 18 and 19 were apprehended on suspicion of committing a hate crime
Three young British men have been arrested after posting a video on Snapchat showing themselves mocking the death of George Floyd
PA

Three teenagers have been arrested after allegedly mocking the death of George Floyd with a re-enactment video on Snapchat.

The group of 18 and 19-year-olds, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, were detained on Sunday on suspicion of committing a hate crime and have since been released on bail.

Mass civil unrest has swept across the United States after footage emerged of Mr Floyd, a black man, pinned to the ground and gasping for air as white police officer being restrained by a white police officer and while an officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

In the clip, the 46-year-old can be heard shouting "I can't breathe" and "Don't kill me”. Mr Floyd, who had been arrested in Minneapolis on May 25 for allegedly using a fake $20 note, lost consciousness during the incident and died.

Last night President Donald Trump threatened to send in the military to quell the unrest. Mr Floyd's death also sparked worldwide protests from London to Sydney over racial injustice and policing.

The Snapchat video, which showed three British men laughing and drinking beer as they acted out Mr Floyd's death in a park, sparked outrage when it went viral on social media.

A woman who went to school with the trio told MailOnline that the men had been condemned by people in their local community.

The youths, who have deleted their social media profiles, are now reportedly receiving death threats.

The Mirror reported a source, who claimed to know those arrested from school, saying: “It’s all blown up in their faces and they’ve received death threats.

“They were arrested on Sunday night and have had their phones taken off them and everything."

A Northumbria Police spokesperson told the Standard: "We can confirm we are investigating after an image was shared on social media which showed two men imitating the recent death of US citizen George Floyd.

“An investigation was launched and on Sunday officers arrested two males aged 19 and another male aged 18 on suspicion of sending communications causing anxiety and distress.

“They have since been released on bail. We understand that this social media post has caused significant upset and we want to reassure the public it is being investigated robustly and is being treated as a hate crime."

The spokesperson gave no comment on claims the youths are receiving police protection.

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