Photo of the year? Vancouver couple kisses amidst riots. Photo: Rich Lam

The couple who became world famous for their kiss in the middle of the Vancouver riots claim they were assaulted by police before the passionate smooch.

Australian Scott Jones was photographed with his Canadian girlfriend Alexandra Thomas as riots broke out during the Stanley Cup final between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins.

In his only public interview with CBC, Jones said the couple had been watching the final at a bar before the chaos broke out around them.

"I went back towards her…They [the police] started beating us with the shields trying to get us to move," Mr Jones told CBS.

"I don’t know why, we weren’t being aggressive towards them or anything like that, but eventually they passed over us and that’s when we were on the ground.

"I was just trying to calm her down…It was pretty scary for her and it seemed like the best thing to do."

The couple, who have reportedly turned down offers to appear on morning shows to continue their holiday, never expected the situation they faced when entered the streets.

"It happened so fast," Ms Thomas said.

"I never expected it to turn into that situation so quickly."

The pair say they plan to move to Melbourne in the near future.