The mermaid statue sits inside the Dunedin central police station after it was knocked off its plinth. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON

A 42-year-old man will appear in court after allegedly walking into Dunedin police station on Saturday night and damaging a mermaid statue in the foyer.

Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen, of Dunedin, said a staff member was having dinner at the station late on Saturday when they heard an "almighty ruckus downstairs" and went to investigate.

They saw a man slamming the bronze statue, which sits atop a tall plinth in the foyer, on to the floor.

"He was duly arrested and processed for wilful damage," Snr Sgt Dinnissen said.