A FEMALE Dorset police officer was 'physically picked up and thrown to the ground' during an altercation involving three men, the force's Assistant Chief Constable has revealed.

Assistant chief constable Sam de Reya tweeted about the incident which took place in Ferndown.

She said that three people have been arrested in connection to this, with more being located and arrested.

Her tweet read: "Duty Gold - Last night in Ferndown a female officer was injured.

"The group of males fighting physically picked her up & threw her to the ground causing injuries. Three arrests so far and we are out to locate and arrest others today.

"#Unacceptable#ShameOnYou #NotPartOfTheJob"