POLICE have launched an investigation after a man claimed he was wrongly arrested and then verbally abused by officers.

Anees Rehman has made a formal complaint to British Transport Police after he was arrested in the car park of Vue cinema in Blackburn.

And he has been back-ed by a magistrate who said he was determined to take the matter further.

Mr Rehman, 34, of Woodbine Road, was arrested on suspicion of not having insurance for his car, but insisted he had the correct documentation at home.

He said: “Me and my friend were sitting in my car outside the cinema at about 8pm.

"Two police-men came and told us to get out the car.

"Then one asked for my details and I gave him my driving licence.

“They started questioning me and he swore at me many times and took me to the police station at Greenbank.

“But the man behind the counter told them not to take me there, so they drove me back to the cinema.

"They told me they were doing me a favour, and that they should have made we walk.

"He wouldn’t listen to me, and kept telling me to shut up.”

Mr Rehman said the officers had mimicked him, and claimed he had been hurt when he was pushed against his car and handcuffed.

He said he had been sworn at when a friend produced papers showing he was fully insured.

The father of four’s claims were supported by a local councillor and magistrate, Arshid Mahmood.

Coun Mahmood, a Labour councillor for Corporation Park, said: “I have known him for a good number of years and would happily vouch for him.

"I have complained to the police and am determined to take this further.”

A British Transport Police spokesman would not comment on the reasons for the arrest.

He said: “British Transport Police has received a complaint regarding an arrest made at Blackburn railway station on Thursday evening.

“The matter is now in the hands of the force’s professional standards department and will be fully investigated.

"At this stage it would be inappropriate to comment further.”