An officer was punched in the chest after a disruption at a fireworks display in Weymouth, police have said.

Officers were on patrol on The Esplanade in Weymouth during the summer fireworks display which takes place every Monday.

Police said that they had to "intervene" to prevent "fights" between a number of young people.

Two young men were stopped and searched outside the Pavilion.

They were issued with dispersal orders and when police tried to take one of the young men into a police vehicle, he reportedly punched an officer in the chest.

An investigation is underway following the incident.

A spokesperson for Weymouth and Portland Police said: "Last night we had several officers, working with the Youth Outreach team from Dorset Council, on The Esplanade to keep everyone safe during the Summer Fireworks display.

"There was a large number of people in the area for the fireworks which was great to see.

"Sadly there were a number of young persons that caused us a few issues throughout the evening and we had to intervene on a number of occasions to prevent any fights or disorder escalating.

"This culminated in police stopping and searching two males outside The Pavilion following information received that they may have assaulted another young person and had been in possession of a weapon.

"The searches were negative but they were issued dispersal notices, banning them from the town and taken home.

"Whilst trying to encourage one of the young males to get into the police vehicle he kicked out, hitting a police officer in the chest so had to be restrained to keep him and officers safe.

"The two involved were taken home and subsequent investigations will follow in terms of the offences that they have committed.

"Whilst it's great to see so many young people out in Weymouth enjoying what the town has to offer and enjoying the fireworks, a number of them appeared intent on causing issues between themselves and were obstructive with police, security staff and outreach workers who were trying to deal with a dynamic incident and made our job very difficult."