A police officer was injured as he tried to arrest a suspected shoplifter on Brighton seafront.
And onlookers chucked beer at the officer and his colleagues and tried to help the suspect escape.
Sussex Police said: “A police officer suffered nasty cuts after being attacked on Brighton seafront.
“Officers were called to the King’s Road Arches at around 4.25pm on Saturday 11 July to reports of a man shoplifting and acting abusively.
“When officers arrived he ran from them.
“One of the officers was punched and attacked causing him two nasty cuts to his head.
“Marek Olczyk, 33, of no fixed address, has been charged with ABH and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been remanded in custody to appear at court on (Friday) 14 August.”
Detective Constable Shirley White said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area of the arches near to the junction with West Street around 4.25pm who saw what happened to contact us.
“The officers were also hindered in trying to make the arrest by people throwing plastic cups of beer at them and trying to pull the officers off the suspect.
“We are keen to identify these people.”
Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.
arrest everyone and charge them with crimes against sobriety