A black woman whose arrest sparked protests in Lewisham says an officer punched her "very very hard" and hair was "ripped from her scalp" during the incident.

News Shopper revealed in June that a police watchdog investigation was underway into her arrest, which was filmed by a bystander, and “subsequent treatment in custody” on May 9, involving eight officers, two of which have been placed on restricted duties.

The woman, who has been interviewed anonymously, says an officer pinning her to the ground “smirked” at her as she was told “if you can talk, you can breathe”, while she was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a drugs search in the town centre.

The woman, a student in her 20s, told the BBC: "I just remember things turning like they looked a bit radioactive to me because I couldn't... I knew that I was losing consciousness."

She says she told the female police officer who punched her that the officer holding her down was killing her. She says the female officer "smirked" and responded: 'If you can talk, you can breathe."

She says she was lifted up from the street by her handcuffs and her hair braids, causing hair to be ripped out of her scalp, and was carried to the police van.

Inside Lewisham police station, she was subjected to further violence during a strip search which happened in the presence of male as well as female officers - something against police regulations.

"They didn't even tell me they were going to strip-search me. It literally just happened when in the presence of the male and female officers with my cell door wide open, so people were passing."

She claims this was done to "humiliate me more - dehumanise me more".

Once stripped naked, she said she was subjected to more violence, during which one police officer punched her repeatedly "very, very, very, very hard - there was a lot of intensity in her".

The woman said she resisted as she had recently had surgery on her stomach and was worried about the pressure they were applying to her while she was on the floor.

The protestors gathered outside Lewisham police station after a video of the arrest circulated on social media, calling for the officers involved to be suspended.

The Mayor of Lewisham added to criticism of police, who he described as using “excessive force”.

News Shopper: Protestors outside Lewisham police station in June

The Metropolitan Police said: "All police officers are fully aware that they will be asked to account for their actions. Officers are not exempt from the law, and nor would we wish to be.

"The Met continues to co-operate with the IOPC's investigation team to ensure that all the facts are established.

"Eight officers are under investigation in relation to this incident; two of whom have been placed on restricted duties."

The IOPC said: "Use of Force is an essential policing tool and like all police powers must be used properly, proportionately and responsibly.

"We are examining the circumstances of the woman's arrest and the Use of Force on her.

"Our investigation is also looking at the woman's subsequent treatment in custody. As part of the investigation, we have already taken a statement from the woman."

It added: "To uphold public confidence in the police complaints system, we are investigating the use of stop-and-search tactics in this incident and whether the actions of those officers were appropriate and proportionate and followed approved police policies. We are also investigating if racial profiling or discrimination played a part in the incident.

"This incident took place in public view late at night and was probably witnessed by passers-by and members of the public.

"We would ask anybody who was in the area that evening and saw police activity to get in touch with us."