Paul Gascoigne was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal damage after he allegedly hurled a brick at a van in an apparent altercation with a photographer.

The former England footballer, 47, was arrested at his penthouse home in Sandbanks, Dorset, on 10 September shortly before 2pm.

Officers arrived at the scene in two cars and a police van. Several stood guard outside the residence as others were seen entering the property and closing the balcony doors.

Soon after, Gascoigne - who was wearing a hooded dressing gown - was led away from the house by the officers and into the back of the police van.

He was taken to Poole Police Station, where he was questioned and later released on bail to return to the station in October.

“At 1.42pm officers attended a disturbance (and) a 47-year-old man was arrested for criminal damage,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“He was released on bail until October pending further enquiries.”

The alleged incident followed reports that Gascoigne, who recently left hospital after being treated for alcoholism, had been drinking with locals at nearby pub the Star Inn.

Video: Paul Gascoigne admitted to hospital to be treated for alcoholism

According to reports in The Sun, the sportsman had been seen wearing full fishing gear and holding a chicken.

In 2010, Gascoigne famously called a radio station to inform them he was on a search for murder fugitive Raoul Moat, armed with a fishing rod, lager and a roast chicken.

“He is willing to give in now,” he told the station. “I just want to give him some therapy and say, ‘Come on Moaty, it's Gazza.’”

The footballer later confessed he had “no idea” that the fugitive, who shot himself dead after a stand-off with armed officers, had blinded a policeman by firing a gun in his face.