A POLICE Community Support Officer was punched and head-butted to the floor during a pursuit of a thief in Bournemouth Square.

The assault on the female PCSO happened following an incident at NatWest in Old Christchurch Road today, which saw a charity box stolen from the branch.

Eye-witnesses saw nine police vehicles and a dog unit rush to Westover Road at around midday, with officers arresting a man in the Lower Gardens shortly afterwards.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We were called to reports of a theft of a charity box from Natwest in Bournemouth Square at around midday on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

“A female PCSO followed a male suspect and it is alleged the man turned around and punched her in the face and head-butted her, causing her to fall to the floor.

“She was taken to hospital for treatment.”

A spokesperson for NatWest confirmed a theft took place at the branch, adding: “We are fully co-operating with police while they carry out an investigation.”

Police arrested a 42-year-old man from Bournemouth following the incident.

The force spokesperson added: “He was arrested a short time later in Bournemouth gardens on suspicion of theft and assault and is currently assisting officers with their enquiries.”

Jim Hastings, from Bournemouth, was in Westover Road when he saw police arrive at the scene and follow a man into the Lower Gardens.

The 35-year-old said: “I saw a couple of police cars turn up at Westover Road and some officers jumped out. I didn’t think much of it, but then very quickly after another seven police vehicles turned up – two vans, a riot van and four cars, as well as a police dog, I then thought something quite serious must be happening.

“Everybody got out of the vehicles and went down to the gardens. They were chasing someone. Several officers then dragged a guy back up around ten minutes later and arrested him.”

PC Tony Tester, chairman of the Dorset Police Federation, called the attack on the PCSO “outrageous” and has condemned violence towards “any warranted police officer or PCSO”.

He said: “Someone in uniform is there to do a job and should be dealt with respect. Violence towards police staff is not tolerated at all.”

Earlier this year, PC Tester and Dorset Police Chief Constable Debbie Simpson signed a new eight-point plan to support officers who are assaulted on duty.

It sets out the way the force deals with assaults on officers and staff so they are investigated with the same care and compassion as an assault on a member of the public.

Reports of assaults on police officers were revealed to have more than doubled in recent years.

Figures released by Dorset Police in April showed there were 220 assaults on police officers in 2015.