Two Victoria police officers were forced to call for backup early Sunday morning when they were swarmed by a group of drunken patrons outside a bar while they were dealing with an unruly customer.

The officers were patrolling the streets after bars closed at 2 a.m. when the bouncers at the Strathcona Hotel sought help to deal with a man who was threatening them and wouldn't leave, spokesman Sgt. Grant Hamilton said.

"Our officers went in to arrest the individual and his friends jumped in and the crowd kind of gathered around our officers too," Hamilton told CBC News Monday.

"One of our officers, someone jumped on his back and that's when they called for help."

Help wasn't immediately available because other officers nearby were responding to a hit-and run and a gun call, Hamilton said. Finally, backup from the neighbouring municipalities of Oak Bay and Saanich arrived.

No one was seriously injured and three men were arrested, Hamilton said.

None of the three has been charged.

Hamilton said Victoria police are facing more and more challenges like the one on Sunday. The department has asked city politicians for money to hire 19 more officers next year, he said.