Man charged after 'punching officer in face'

A 23-year-old Willetton man who allegedly punched a police officer in the face in Northbridge early this morning has been charged.

Police say the male constable and his partner were patrolling on bicycles when his partner spoke to the man near the intersection of James Street and Mountain Terrace about 2.30am.

The man is then alleged to have punched the officer to the face. After a brief struggle, he was arrested.

The officer was taken to hospital where he was treated for a laceration above his eye and a fracture to his hand.

The man was charged with assaulting a public officer.