Police were forced to call for back up after New Year's Eve revellers at South Bank hurled abuse at officers, who were arresting a man for the alleged sexual assault of a woman.

Brisbane Magistrates Court was told patrolling officers arrested and handcuffed Owar Obongo, a 29-year-old student, after receiving a complaint he had indecently assaulted a woman at South Bank.

The incident, at about 11.30pm on New Year's Eve, resulted in Obongo struggling with officers and nearby revellers becoming involved in the arrest.

"Members of the public then verbally abused police for arresting the defendant," said police prosecutor Sergeant Peter Treloar.

Back up was requested, he said, but the woman declined to make a formal complaint of sexual assault against Obongo.