Girl and police hurt during disturbance near beach

A teenage girl and two police officers have been injured and six people arrested after disorder involving a large group near a seafront.

Officers were called to Pier Approach near Bournemouth beach on Monday shortly before 19:30 BST where a large crowd had gathered.

The girl, hurt during the fracas, was taken to hospital and two officers were assaulted as they dealt with the horde and worked to disperse several groups.

Dorset Police said five people were arrested on suspicion of affray and one on suspicion of assault. A dispersal order for the seafront area has since been put in place.

Dorset police said after the crowd was dispersed officers stayed in the area to carry out patrols.

Local policing commander Chf Sup Heather Dixey said: "We will not tolerate reported public disorder of this nature and violence towards officers carrying out their duty.

"I would urge anyone with information relating to those responsible, as well as anyone who has captured relevant footage, to please contact us."

The force said a full investigation to identify those involved was underway.

The dispersal order covering the seafront and the town's public gardens gives officers additional powers to order anyone who they believe could pose a risk of causing public disorder to leave the area.

After a cycling drum and bass party in and around the seafront on Sunday, police thanked people who went for "behaving appropriately" with no reports of any crime or anti-social behaviour.

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