Shocking video footage has shown the moment a mob of teenagers surrounded a lone police officer in Salford.

The cop, who had responded to reports of a group of young people 'harassing' a shop worker on Edward Avenue, can be seen fighting off four of the teens as he was arresting a 14-year-old girl on Monday (April 14).

Footage, shared widely on social media, showed the group run over to the officer and attempt to pull him away from two other teenagers. The officer then appears to kick one of the group, causing them to fall backwards, before pushing off another youth who is also sent tumbling to the ground.

Greater Manchester Police said the officer had been approached by the group who had begun 'disrupting the arrest' and caused a 'challenging situation', reports the Manchester Evening News.

Screams of "get off him" could be heard as the officer was seen attempting to escort the arrested teenage girl to the police car parked nearby.

The incident then rapidly unfolded and was caught on mobile camera footage, as the officer was heard repeatedly instructing the group to 'back off'.

The force said it received a complaint regarding the incident which is being assessed by the Professional Standards Directorate. They are also accessing the officer's body-worn camera footage.

The 14-year-old girl who was arrested was later de-arrested and taken home after the victim, who had pressed the panic alarm in the shop, failed to support the investigation.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "At around 4.45pm on Monday, April 14, we swiftly responded to the activation of a panic alarm by a shop worker on Edward Avenue, Salford.

"It was reported that a group of young people had been harassing the worker and attempting to shoplift the store. On attendance, the responding officer arrested a female, aged 14, in connection with this report.

"The officer was approached by a group who were disrupting this arrest in what was a challenging situation.

"We are in receipt of a complaint in relation to this incident which our Professional Standards Directorate are currently reviewing by assessing all relevant material including body-worn video.

"Whilst on this occasion, the victim did not seek to support further investigation into the report and the girl was de-arrested and take home with no further action, we are committed to responding to reports of shop lifting and taking action to keep shop workers safe."