A SUSPECTED drug dealer from Kidderminster was sprayed with incapacitant spray by police as he struggled during his arrest with an officer's thumb hurt after the suspect slammed a car door on it.

Kidderminster Shuttle: RESULT: Cash was seized after a dramatic arrest in Shrubbery Avenue in Barbourne in Worcester RESULT: Cash was seized after a dramatic arrest in Shrubbery Avenue in Barbourne in Worcester (Image: West Mercia Police)

Officers targeted a vehicle parked in Shrubbery Avenue, in Worcester, at around 9am on Thursday morning, seizing drugs and cash and making an arrest after a struggle. Despite his injuries, the officer remained on duty. More than £5,000 in cash has been recovered.

Kidderminster Shuttle: EVIDENCE: Officers gathering evidence after the arrest in Shrubbery Avenue in Barbourne, Worcester EVIDENCE: Officers gathering evidence after the arrest in Shrubbery Avenue in Barbourne, Worcester (Image: West Mercia Police)

DI Dave Knight of West Mercia Police said: "South Worcestershire Proactive CID continue to target drug dealers nationally in order to protect the public of South Worcestershire from the dangers associated with drug dealing.

Kidderminster Shuttle: CASH: Cash seized as part of a class A drugs investigation following an arrest in Shrubbery Avenue in Worcester CASH: Cash seized as part of a class A drugs investigation following an arrest in Shrubbery Avenue in Worcester (Image: West Mercia Police)

"A little after 9am this morning officers from the team targeted a vehicle parked on Shrubbery Avenue, Worcester.

"A 27 year old male from Comberton Road, Kidderminster was arrested from the vehicle for being in possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

Kidderminster Shuttle: DRUGS: Drugs were seized DRUGS: Drugs were seized (Image: West Mercia Police)

"The individual struggled with police, and an officer injured his thumb after the suspect shut his car door on it. Officers deployed PAVA Incapacitant spray in order to subdue the suspect and bring him in to custody.

"A significant amount of suspected class A drugs was found with the individual on arrest and during subsequent searches at an address linked to him.

The male is being held at Worcester Police Station."

He said of the injured officer: "The officer has remained on duty and unfortunately this is not the first injury that the team have suffered whilst protecting the public from the danger of Class A drug supply.

"The public rightly expect to be protected from those that would do them harm, and whilst individuals insist on preying on weaker members of society the police will always present a wall of resistance to protect the vulnerable and bring offenders to justice."