AN off-duty police officer was headbutted, punched and bitten when he tried to arrest a suspected thief near his home.

Two youths attacked Sergeant Alex Clarke as he grappled with a teenager who was thought to have stolen a motor scooter.

Sgt Clarke, 33, needed four stitches in a head wound following the assault in Hart Village, near Hartlepool, on Tuesday night.

He also suffered cuts and bruises and a bite wound to the arm, but he is hoping to be back at work at Darlington police station as early as tomorrow.

At about 9pm, Sgt Clarke, who is married with a 19-month-old daughter, heard a scooter racing up the main road near his home.

He went into the street to speak to the rider about not wearing a helmet and became suspicious that the scooter might be stolen.

As he tried to arrest the youth, a car pulled up, the occupants got out and started to assault him.

Neighbours heard the disturbance and raised the alarm, and the two people from the car fled. One was arrested a short time later in the village but a third is still on the run. Police are also looking for a girl who was in the car.

Chief Superintendent Michael Banks, divisional commander at Darlington, said: "It doesn't surprise me in the least that Alex showed such initiative in reacting promptly when he thought a crime had been committed. He is a first-class officer and it is typical of him that he is planning to return to work as early as Friday.

"We wish him a speedy recovery."

Sgt Clarke, who has 11 years' service with Durham Constabulary, was treated at the University Hospital of Hartlepool before being allowed home to recover.

Two 19-year-olds were last night being questioned by detectives - one about the assault and one on suspicion of assault, the theft of a scooter and motoring offences.

Inquiries are continuing to trace a third suspect, as well as the girl who was with them. Witnesses are asked to call Hartlepool CID on (01642) 302135.