A POLICE officer was kicked in the stomach and spat out while on duty in the city centre.

Officers were called to Deacons pub in Fisherton Street at about 7pm yesterday (Tuesday, February 26) following a report of an intoxicated woman causing a disorder.

Police say while an officer attempted to search a woman, she was kicked to the stomach and spat at.

A 32-year-old woman from Salisbury was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assault on an emergency worker. She was taken to Melksham custody for questioning where she remains this morning.

Acting Inspector John Hutchings said: “We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and lack of respect shown to officers. This is the second such assault on officers in Salisbury this week.

“Our officers are there to protect our communities – it should never be accepted that while doing this, they will be assaulted by the people they are trying to help.

“Fortunately, the officer involved was not physically injured and continued with her duties.”