A MAN has been arrested after a woman fell 10 feet from a bridge in Bournemouth town centre on Saturday.

Police were called to reports of an assault near the BH2 complex in the early hours of the morning.

The casualty, who is in her 30s and lives in Christchurch, suffered serious injuries in the fall. Doctors do not believe she has sustained life-threatening wounds.

Detectives cordoned off a stretch of Exeter Road and the Lower Gardens as part of their investigations on Saturday.

Forensics officers could be seen working at the scene, while two PCs in uniform manned the cordon.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He continues to help officers with their enquiries. 

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said officers were called just after midnight to reports of an assault.

“The injured woman sustained serious injuries after falling from a 10-foot bridge opposite the Moon and Square pub during the incident,” the spokesperson said.

“The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening and she was taken to hospital for treatment.

“An investigation has been launched to establish the full circumstances and a cordon has been set up at the scene.

“A 42-year-old man from Christchurch was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and is assisting officers with enquiries.

“It is understood the man and woman were both known to each other.”

The woman fell from a bridge near two telephone boxes, which lay within the cordon on Saturday. A forensics officer wearing blue gloves could be seen taking photographs of the scene in Exeter Road.

She also took pictures from the Gardens of the drop.

Some of the officer’s work involved a bin surrounded by debris including a plastic cup of beer and cardboard boxes.

The scene initially led some to speculate a rough sleeper may be involved.

One man told the Daily Echo: “It makes you worry.

“I’ve lived in Bournemouth all my life but there’s no doubt it’s getting worse. There seems to be more violence now."