An investigation has been launched by police after a video on social media appeared to show an officer punching a one-legged man in a wheelchair.

Witnesses reported seeing the officer "pushing and punching" the man in St Peter's Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Norfolk Police said the officer on patrol came across a man being verbally abusive in the street on Monday.

The force said the man threatened the officer with a bottle and spat at him.

An investigation into the conduct of the officer has now been launched.

Police say the inquiry will "include a review of the officer's body worn video".

The matter has been referred to the force's Professional Standards Department and is also expected to be referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

According to members of the public, the man in the wheelchair was in the middle of the road while holding a bottle of alcohol when the police officer arrived.

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Witnesses claim that the man looked as though he was about to get up from his chair when the officer took the bottle and began repeatedly "pushing and punching him".

CCTV footage from a Londis shop captured the incident from several angles.

Manager of the store, Justin Fenn said his video appeared to show the officer discharging a spray.

"The [police officer] has got the bottle, but the man's grabbed the CS spray, and now the policeman is trying to get it back," he told the Daily Mail.

"The man in the wheelchair is in a very controlling position. He's got hold of the CS spray and [the officer] is doing everything he can to get it back. The policeman is just defending himself."

A Norfolk Police statement said: "Police are investigating the conduct of an officer in Great Yarmouth following the circulation of a video showing the arrest of a man in a wheelchair yesterday evening.

"The incident happened at 5.16pm in St Peter's Road in Great Yarmouth, when an officer on patrol came across a man being verbally abusive in the street.

"During the incident, the man threatened him with a bottle and subsequently spat at the officer."