VIOLENCE in Basildon was the main focus of the third episode of TV’s The Force as camera crews followed officers fighting crime.

The fly-on-the-wall series follows Essex officers as they work to crack down on knife crime, conduct public order duties and investigate assaults, burglaries, drink-drivers and drug dealers.

Wednesday’s episode showcased domestic assaults, aggravated burglaries and public order offences, all occurring in Basildon and Billericay.

Emergency response officers PCs Asa Smith and Chris Rees were called to a house in Basildon after a woman reported that her dad had stormed in and assaulted her.

She showed the officers that she had red scratches on her back and told them that her dad had grabbed her by the throat.

She said: “He grabbed me. I was afraid of further injury to myself but I knew he wouldn’t hurt my children.”

The officers managed to arrest him and he admitted assault. Magistrates handed him a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work.

PC Zhak Burrows and PC Stuart Chaplin were also called to a domestic incident after a 16-year-old girl reported that her 17-year-old boyfriend had pulled her to the floor.

PC Burrows said on the show: “He has beaten his girlfriend in an argument over a taxi. He pulled her to the floor by her hair.”

The boy was arrested and given a youth rehabilitation order.

The show also featured a terrified grandmother, whose home was broken into by her grandson who demanded cash. He was arrested for theft, criminal damage and harassment and served four weeks in prison.

The show’s final segment followed dog handler PC Tony Mayo dealing with a man who was wearing a Viking hat and staging a protest at Billericay railway station. He was taken to hospital.