A VIDEO of a man being arrested by several police officers in Bournemouth's Old Christchurch Road has attracted hundreds of views on social media.

The five-minute video shows the man appearing to resist attempts to detain him after he was suspected of shoplifting.

For the first minute-and-a-half he is dealt with by one officer before reinforcements arrive and the man is pinned to the floor.

The incident was filmed by a woman who was asked to move away by an officer who asked her: "Do you know what he has done? You wouldn't want him around your kids, so walk on."

The woman then criticises the number of police officers involved in the arrest and describes them as "savage."

The actions of the officers have been defended by Dorset Police.

Superintendent Heather Dixey, of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole police, said: “We are aware of a five minute video clip that is circulating on social media of an interaction involving officers and a man at around 3.15pm on Saturday April 24 on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth.

“At around 3pm that day we were called to a report of theft of a number items from Superdry on Old Christchurch Road.

“The video shows an officer who was in the process of detaining a man with a view to carry out a section 1 PACE search relating to the reported offence. It is reported that the man resisted the officer by locking and tensing his arms preventing a search being carried out. The officer called for assistance from colleagues so the man could be detained safely.

“Following the arrest, the man was released under investigation while enquiries continue.

“When officers are faced with a non-compliant individual during an arrest, it is safer for a number of officers to deal with such an incident to ensure their own safety, as well as the individual’s. These are trained and practised techniques. In the clip an officer is lawfully seen to strike the man to the upper arm to gain control as he was resisting arrest and was potentially violent.

“The arrest has been reviewed, including the video clip posted online, body worn video footage from the officers who attended and any relevant CCTV, and it has been determined that no further action will be taken.

“No complaint has been made to the Force by the individual involved.”