Louis Tomlinson's fandom exploded after news of his arrest broke - with many lashing out at cops for charging the superstar with battery after it appeared he saved his girlfriend from being attacked.

After shocking footage and pictures emerged of his alleged female victim, who can be heard admitted she was fighting with Louis' girlfriend Eleanor Calder, the 1D fandom went into overdrive to identify the 22-year-old.

And within hours of the shocking incident the young woman was tracked down and threatened by trolls.

Other fans urged the trolls not to contact the brunette as it may harm Louis' defence in court.

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"Do not tweet these girls names, it may hurt Louis", was one message which had been retweeted hundreds if times. Others appear to have forced the alleged victim and her pal offline - but fans have warned others to be wary of fake accounts.

Another fumed: "It wasn't his fault anyone over his situation would do the same thing, the girls were literally pinning Eleanor to the wall."

Shocking video has emerged showing him rushing to his girlfriend's aid after she was surrounded by two women - and it appears slim brunette Eleanor was in a headlock.

Louis can be heard saying: "My girlfriend" - as he pulls the girl off model Eleanor, even losing his top in the struggle.

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Just moments later the One Direction star was arrested on suspicion of attacking a photographer in the late night brawl at baggage claim at Los Angeles International Airport.

The grainy video, published by RadarOnline , shows Louis confronting the photographer, named as Karl Larsson, and then it appears they both slip to the floor before Louis, who spots his girlfriend, jumps up and rushes to Eleanor's defence.

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Then Louis can be heard shouting "what the hell is happening?" and "can we get some help?" as he rushes over to help Eleanor.

It is claimed the altercation was because one of the women - who has told The Sun she was a 1D fan - was trying to take pictures of Louis.

The woman, who has been pictured but not named, has claimed she was bundled to the floor and received an eye injury.

Butr fans are confused how the girl has managed to leave the airport while Louis was arrested. The girl, who is wearing grey slacks, can be heard on camera saying: "She pulled my phone and we started fighting then the guy just grabbed me and threw me to the floor."

One fan tweeted: "So this girl admits attacking Eleanor but Louis gets arrested? What is wrong with this picture?"

Louis’ lawyer Martin Singer earlier released a statement on his behalf.

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He said: "The paparazzi provoked and caused the altercation that occurred with Louis at the airport this morning.

"This is not the first or last time that a paparazzi has created an altercation with a celebrity.

"While the altercation was going on with the paparazzi, three other individuals were attacking his girlfriend during this incident and he came to her defence, causing airport security to intervene".

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TMZ reported that Louis, 25, was later arrested and booked for simple battery.

He was released on $20,000 bail but is due to appear in court in Los Angeles on March 29.

The photographer was also arrested but it is not known whether he has been charged.

Louis recently reportedly rekindled his relationship with former girlfriend Eleanor, a fashion blogger.

The couple split two years ago in March 2015, after three years together, but things are apparently getting serious again now.