An alleged shoplifter bit a police officer while being restrained on board a Lewisham bus.

Police were called to a local supermarket as a young man had been reported for shoplifting.

When officers got to the store, the man had already gone but they were provided with a description.

The man had boarded a 181 bus that was heading towards Lewisham.

Officers drove down the road, located the bus and boarded it.

A man who matched the description of the suspect was found sitting at the back of the bus.

He was detained for a search to try to find the stolen items.

The suspect resisted the search and tried to escape from police.

In this scuffle, the man was taken to the floor.

The suspect bit a police officer in the right forearm, which broke skin and drew blood.

He also attempted to headbutt and spit at officers.

The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and assaulting an emergency worker.

Greenwich Police tweeted: “#Arrested

“1 Arrested for Theft (shoplifting) & Assaulting an emergency worker “Great work by officers acting swiftly to locate the Bus and arrest the suspect.

“More below “Officers were called to the scene by staff at a local supermarket as they reported a young male for shoplifting.

“On arrival, the officers were provided with a description and the personnel explained that this male had just gotten onto a 181 heading towards Lewisham.

“Officers drove down the road and found the bus.

“Suspect was sitting at the back of the bus and matched the description given earlier.

“Suspect was detained for a search under S1 PACE in order to find stolen items.

“During the search, the suspect began to try and escape from police and resisting the search and in the process was taken to the floor.

“At this point, the suspect has bitten the officer in the right forearm breaking the skin and drawing blood.

“Suspect has also attempted to head-butt and spit at officers.”

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