SUPPORT is being provided to an Essex Police officer after he was punched in the face in Laindon.

Police were called to a home in Laindon on Monday, May 27, following reports of a disturbance.

It is alleged, while trying to resolve the issue, a punch was thrown which caught the officer in the eye.

Essex Police later released a picture of the black eye and cut sustained by the officer, whose identity has not been revealed.

T/Insp Heffron said: “No assault on a police officer is acceptable and positive action will be taken against those perpetrators.

“I would like to praise the officer for his courage and professionalism that remained throughout the incident”.

Resident Christine Cowan, responding to the incident on the Essex Police Facebook page, said: “It will get to a point where men and women will no longer sign up to the police force.

“There is no respect - unless tougher sentences are brought in now.

“Not in two or three years.

“Shame on the justice system and government.

“I hope the officer is okay.”

Former Labour councillor Pat Rackley added: “There is no excuse for anybody to attack the police, they are just doing their job.

“Violence is never the answer.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called to reports of a disturbance at an address in Victoria Road, Laindon at around 7.35pm on May 27, which we attended.

“During our attendance, an officer reported being assaulted.

“A man was arrested at the scene.

“Steven Bates, 36, of Victoria Road, Laindon has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker. He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on July 11.”

He has not entered a plea.