Police last night arrested four men in the Salamanca area following an altercation and an assault on a police officer.

Around 9:15pm police were undertaking routine foot patrols in the area of Parliament House lawns when they engaged with a group of around 15 people, some affected to varying degrees by alcohol.

As police arrested one of the members, other members of the group became abusive towards police and attempted to physically intervene.

As a result, four people were arrested for varying street offences.

A 24-year-old man of no fixed abode was arrested and detained to appear at the Hobart Magistrates Court later today. Police will allege he assaulted a police officer by punching him to the face.

A 22-year-old man of no fixed above was also detained and will appear at the Hobart Magistrates Court later today.

A 23-year-old man from New Town and a 24-year-old man from Hobart were released on bail and will appear in April 2017.