A SPECIAL constable was bitten after being called to an incident involving drinkers in a park.

Another special constable is understood to have been injured in the same incident, in Darlington, on Friday evening. The exact whereabouts of the park in question has not been revealed by police.

One of the officers involved posted a picture of their injured arm on Twitter and said they had been trying to keep youths safe from alcohol.

One man has since been arrested.

The attack provoked the ire of users of the social network and was described as “disgraceful and disgusting” by those posting in response.

Kerrin Wilson, head of Cleveland and Durham Police’s Special Operations Unit, posted: “You guys are doing a fabulous job and we value you so much.

“Hope this disgusting behaviour doesn’t put you off.”