A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a shop worker and assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest.

Police were called to B&M Bargains in Braintree yesterday afternoon to reports a staff member had been assaulted.

The staff member had challenged two men who he believed to be shoplifting from the store in Rayne Road.

One of the men left shop but the worker reported the other man assaulted him before leaving.

Officers headed to the scene and arrested a man on suspicion of assault and assault with intent to resist arrest after he head-butted an officer during the arrest.

He remains in custody and thankfully the officer was not injured.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Officers attended and quickly arrested a man on suspicion of assault and assault with intent to resist arrest.

"He remains in police custody. During the arrest, one officer was head-butted, however they were not injured.

"Another man arrested on suspicion of theft was issued with a community resolution order."

Witnesses reported seeing a number of officers help arrest a suspect in Rayne Road near Autoparts of Braintree and Papa John’s.

One witness said up to 14 officers could be seen at one point, while members of the public are also believed to have assisted the police.

The Braintree and Uttlesford Community Policing Team later thanked the public on Facebook.

The post read: “Big thank you to the members of the public that came out to assist officers on Rayne Road, Braintree today. We really appreciate it, thank you!”