A police officer was head-butted and spat on as he tried to arrest a wanted man.

The incident took place on Prospect Terrace, Douglas, this morning.

A wanted man, who was being spoken to by plain clothes officers, was seen attempting to swallow a number of items.

Police said they had grave concerns that if these items included any drugs the man could die.

As a result they attempted to restrain the suspect and retrieve the items.

But as he was restrained, one officer was head-butted and spat on.

Police said: ’We are sorry to any members of the public who were inconvenienced or alarmed. We would like to thank those persons that stopped to help.’