Footage has emerged showing a black woman shouting "I can't breathe" while pinned to the ground by six police officers as she is arrested in Lewisham.

The video, recorded at around 11pm on May 9, further appears to show a female officer punching the detained woman multiple times while shouting "release your arm".

The footage comes as dozens of protestors took to the streets of Peckham yesterday, following the death of a black man at the hands of police in the US, who was recorded pleading "I can't breathe" as he suffocated with the knee of an officer on his neck.

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, who posted the clip on Twitter, said: "Why would it take six police officers to pin down one woman in Lewisham?

"I can see police hitting her as she screams I can't breath? Shouting 'Please stop' as she's being slapped! She's restrained!

"This is unjustified unacceptable excessive force.

"I'm very concerned at the level of excessive force used and want it thoroughly investigated.

"Begs the question what else is happening without video footage."

Two people have been charged in relation to the incident, which began with a vehicle stop.

The woman, named as Kamyimsola Olatunjoye, 28, of Alleford Road, Lewisham, was charged with obstructing a drugs search.

Police say a matter of assaulting an emergency worker was not proceeded with.

Carlton Ireland, 46, of The Woodlands, Hither Green, was charged with drink-driving.

The woman is heard shouting "I can't breathe" multiple times as police restrain her.

The recording captures passers-by becoming increasingly distressed by the degree of force being used by the officers.

Officers begin telling observers to "move away" and to "stay back."

Yesterday demonstrators marched down Rye Lane carrying placards reading "solidarity" and "Black lives matter".

Protests have flared up across the United States after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis this week.

The handcuffed black man died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.

A video of the arrest, which has gone viral, shows Mr Floyd begging for air and saying, "please, I can't breathe" and "don't kill me."

A spokesperson for the police said: "Two people have been charged in relation to an incident in Lewisham on 9 May.

"Carlton Ireland, 46 (25.04.74), of The Woodlands, Hither Green, was charged with drink-driving.

"Kamyimsola Olatunjoye, 28 (13.10.92), of Alleford Road, Lewisham, was charged with obstructing a drugs search. A matter of assaulting an emergency worker was not proceeded with.

"Both were bailed to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 6 July.

"Officers on proactive patrol in Lewisham on Saturday, 9 May attempted to stop a vehicle on Lewisham High Street at 23:05hrs.

"The vehicle attempted to make off after officers signalled for it to stop. It became blocked and the male driver and female passenger were detained.

"Both were searched under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and subsequently arrested.

"Police are aware of videos circulating on social media showing the arrest and are liaising with local community groups and forums to discuss any concerns that they might have regarding this incident.

"The matter has since been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."