A POLICE officer was assaulted in the early hours of the morning after he approached a man in Southend.

A probe has now been launched into the incident, around 1am on June 6, which came after reports of a noise disturbance on Southchurch Road.

Officers have appealed for witnesses, who are believed to have recorded the incident on their mobile phones, to come forward.

A 24 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving, possession of a Class B drug, assaulting an emergency worker, taking a motor vehicle without the owners consent, careless driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without insurance.

He has since been released under investigation.

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A spokesman from Essex Police, said: "We are appealing for information following an incident in Southend where one of our officers was assaulted.

"We had attended Southchurch Road shortly before 1am on 6 June following reports of a noise disturbance.

"Our officer reported approaching a man before being assaulted.

"We believe a number of people recorded the incident on their mobile phones and we need to speak to them as their footage may be important to our investigation.

"If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

"Please quote incident the crime reference number 42/106607/21.

"You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."