A MAN has been arrested after he headbutted, spat at and threatened police officers when they were called to a commotion.

A member of the public phoned 999 at around 9.40pm on Wednesday reporting a fight in a flat in Pewsey House, Wylye Road, Tidworth, where a man had been seen covered in blood.

When officers arrived they were confronted by 'an extremely aggressive' bare-chested man, who at one point stripped naked, and who appeared to be intoxicated and high on drugs.

He was threatening to kill officers and their families, as well as threatening to petrol bomb Amesbury Police Station.

Due to the volatile nature of the situation, use of Taser was authorised and officers also used Pava spray to bring the suspect under control.

Despite this, the offender continued to resist arrest and headbutted one officer, who was subsequently taken to Salisbury District Hospital with suspected concussion. He has since been discharged.

The man also spat at two officers while he was being taken into custody, and damaged a police van and custody property.

Sergeant Michael Standing, from Wiltshire South Community Policing Team, said: "This is another example of the dangerous and volatile situations police officers can find themselves in and the violence and abuse that they faced last night was not acceptable.

"They were there to keep the peace and arrest a man who posed a threat to those around him, and they were targeted in the most horrendous way.

"We are offering all the appropriate support to everyone involved."

The 24-year-old man from the Tidworth area has been arrested on suspicion of common assault, using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, three counts of assaulting a police officer, making threats to kill and criminal damage.

He is currently in custody at Melksham Police Station.

If anyone has any information about last night's incident they should call Wiltshire Police on 101, quoting crime reference 54180101123. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.