Actress Heather Locklear's daughter 'crushed' by mother's behaviour

Heather Locklear was arrested for domestic violence and attacking three cops. Photo / Supplied

Heather Locklear's daughter is reportedly "crushed" by her mother's recent behaviour.

The 56-year-old actress was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and three counts of misdemeanour on a police officer last month, and Heather's daughter, 20-year-old actress Ava Sambora, is said to be worried about her.

An insider explained: "Ava is crushed by her mother's behaviour and feels she will only get help if she takes this incident seriously. If everyone protects Heather she will never change."

Heather - who starred as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty in the 1980s - has been in trouble with the law before.

But Ava - whose father is musician Richie Sambora - considers her latest slip up to be a new low for her mother.

The source told Entertainment Tonight: "Ava has had to watch her mother's ups and downs and this is far worse than it has ever been.

"No one should have to deal with their mother behaving the way Heather does. Especially the way Heather has treated the police. Something has to change, there has to be some sort of reality check here."

Despite the latest crisis, Heather's family is said to be rallying around the actress.

The insider added: "Her friends constantly worry that Heather's family will help her out of every difficult situation caused by her alcohol issues and then she won't get real help."

Meanwhile, Heather has reportedly alleged that her boyfriend, Chris Heisser, tried to choke and kill her shortly before police arrived at her home.

Chris has denied the allegations, while Ava told officers during the investigation that her mother had been drinking on the night of the incident.

The Too Close to Home actress was previously arrested in September 2008 in connection with suspicion of driving under the influence and being under the influence of a controlled substance while she was behind the wheel in California.

Heather also pleaded no contest to misdemeanour reckless driving in January of 2009.

In light of that incident, the actress accepted three years' probation, $700 in fines and attendance of a drug programme as her punishment.