Police have charged a man for attempted arson following reports he was trying to set fire to a Stanford petrol station pump.

Officers were called to the BP station in London Road, at 1am on Saturday, after reports that he was tampering with a petrol pump and trying to set fire to the nozzle.

Officers were quickly on scene and arrested Glen Squibb, 25, of Digby Road, Corringham.

He was charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life, possessing cannabis, possessing a knife in public and also with assaulting a member of staff at the petrol station.

He was bailed to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on October 23.