A peace campaigner who says he was attacked by police after a kids’ community talent show has vowed to take legal action against the officers involved.

Raymond Bell, 48, spoke out after a two-year investigation found ‘insufficient evidence’ against the cops who arrested him and five others outside the Bridgewater Hall in May 2008.

Mr Bell, who says he was punched and kicked by police, was later released with the others without charge.

He said: “This decision is disgusting and unacceptable. We’ve been waiting for justice all this time and now they’re saying it never happened. I’ll be speaking to my solicitor. This isn’t the end.”

Mr Bell, a director of south Manchester radio station Peace FM, and his wife Erinma are the driving force behind the Carisma campaign group, which works for an end to gang violence in Manchester and to promote opportunities for young people.

He said: “I went in to calm the situation down and got set upon. One police officer punched me on the face and wrestled me to the ground.

“I was kicked and punched in front of all the children.”

Violence erupted following the event, which had been organised by a voluntary group for Moss Side children.

The probe which cleared cops was carried out by the internal affairs department of Greater Manchester Police. The investigation was ‘managed’ by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

As reported in yesterday’s M.E.N. the report concluded that witness statements were conflicting and neither the accounts of the officers nor the complainants could be substantiated.

Patsy McKie, chairwoman of Mothers Against Violence, was at the event and was dismayed by the decision.

She said: “There was no need for that kind of reaction. Nobody was causing a riot or any problems in the city centre. People who were just walking home were accosted.

“I’m really quite over-whelmed. A lot people feel aggrieved. This will set back community relations. It did at the time and this report will widen the gap.”

Mrs McKie, whose youngest son Dorrie was shot dead in 1999, said: “I believe the police were afraid because they were not armed. They don’t like to be challenged. I was in the hall. I came out and saw the police had a young man on the floor. I don’t know why. He wasn’t fighting them or anything. They were thinking ‘Has he got a weapon?’ But there was no fighting and no argument.”

She also criticised the decision to allow GMP to investigate the matter instead of the IPCC carrying out its own probe, adding: “They are never going to admit they were wrong.”

Det Supt Mike Freeman, of GMP’s professional standards branch, said: “The problems arose when a member of the public reported that shots had been fired from a car and officers responded.

“During the course of the investigation the majority of complainants have not been prepared to speak directly to us. We have not been able to substantiate any of the ­complaints.”

IPCC Commissioner Naseem Malik said: "This was an incident that caused a great deal of concern. An event highlighting a really positive community message descended into chaos and recrimination. It is clear the events of that night damaged the relationship between Greater Manchester Police and the community of South Manchester. That was why it was important for the IPCC to provide independent oversight and direction to the investigation.

"This proved to be a very difficult investigation, bedevilled by delays outside the control of the IPCC. It is unacceptable that it has taken more than two years for the investigation to be brought to a conclusion. There were delays awaiting the decision whether to charge any of those arrested on the night, followed by delays in receiving statements from complainants.

"But what is apparent is there is a real lack of evidence to support either the police’s or the complainant’s versions of events. Witness statements are conflicting and CCTV and mobile phone footage is poor.

"It is apparent this was a chaotic and frightening incident for the public and the police. Officers were entirely justified in approaching the car outside Bridgewater Hall given the information they had. But the intervention of audience members in this operation prompted a large police response and it is clear that officers resorted to force to resolve the situation.

"The evidence would suggest the tactics adopted were justified, but we cannot absolve individual officers in relation to allegations of using excessive force, nor can we absolve audience members from claims they used violence and deliberate resistance against the officers. The simple fact is any independent evidence is of such poor quality that a definitive conclusion cannot be reached. Many of the incidents revolve around the word of an officer against the word of a complainant.

"I appreciate for those who felt compelled to complain about police actions that night this will be an unsatisfactory conclusion. Equally this will not be satisfactory outcome for the officers who believe their actions were fully justified.

"It is a terrible shame that this incident strained relationships between the community – particularly some high profile, well respected community leaders – and GMP. I understand GMP has done a great deal of hard work to build, develop and maintain relationships with the South Manchester community. I encourage them to continue that good work and hope the events of 5 May 2008 can be consigned to history."