Police have apologised after a girl was caught in a cross-fire of pepper spray during a violent confrontation with the driver of a car she was a passenger in.
They said a man who was stopped in Whakatane on Friday night would not provide personal information and attempted to drive off.
When the officer attempted to remove the car keys the police said the driver wound the window up, trapping the officer's arm and breaking the glass.
They said the man also punched the officer several times, before he was pepper sprayed and arrested.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said the girl in the car was also affected by the spray and they have apologised for the stress and pain caused.