MEMBERS of the public have been praised for helping police detain a man who became 'violent' in Weymouth town centre.

Off-duty police officers had been attempting to arrest a man after witnessing him leaving a 'crime scene' in the town yesterday, the force said.

However the man is alleged to have become violent whilst resisting arrest - with onlookers stepping in to help until backup arrived.

A spokesman for Weymouth & Portland Police said: "We’d like to say a massive thank you to the members of the public who assisted two of our off duty officers yesterday in Weymouth Town Centre.

"The officers observed a male leaving the scene of a crime and went to assist and detain the male, who violently resisted arrest.

"Several members of the public assisted in his apprehension until our on-duty officers arrived to take over. Thank you once again."

An eyewitness at the scene, a local postman, saw a man struggling as police arrested him.

"It was the end of it as I came back from my round," the eyewitness said. "Police cars around the depot on St Albans Street and a guy screaming stuff with his face covered as he was held at the back of a police van."