MORE than three police officers are assaulted every week across South Essex, new figures show.

Since April 1 last year, Essex Police has recorded 171 assaults against officers in the execution of their duty across Southend, Basildon, Castle Point and Rochford.

This means that, on average, three officers are hurt each week.

Officers in Southend recorded the most assaults at 70. There were 60 in Basildon and 41 across Castle Point and Rochford.

Assaults are recorded as anything from spitting to grievous bodily harm.

Some 127 people were charged charged or summonsed to court and 17 people received police cautions. In some cases, suspects are still wanted.

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, from the south local policing area, said: “Assaults can be recorded as minor, which includes spitting, but we have also had incidents that are more serious.

“All our officers receive regular training every year. It’s not just about protecting themselves but about protecting other people too.

“In some of these cases, people are suffering from mental illnesses and the officers need to minimise the threat to themselves and to members of the public.

“Officers have public protection kits with gas, batons and handcuffs but the use of force is something that needs to be justified.

“As a service, we would like to see strong sentences handed down. It’s not just about assaults on police, but also assaults on ambulance staff and other emergency services - we all need the backing of the courts.”

In February, Matthew Finch, 25, admitted five counts of assaulting an officer and was handed a 24-month conditional discharge and £100 compensation.

Officers were called to a domestic incident at a house in Point Road, Canvey, and were attacked by Finch when they arrived. One officer was grabbed around the throat and punched while others were kicked and spat at.

Less than a fortnight later, emergency response officers were called to a disturbance in a block of flats in Long Road, Canvey, at about 5am. When they arrived they were allegedly confronted by a man wielding a kitchen knife. It is alleged that PC Mike Peterson was assaulted.

l Christopher Ball, 34, of Long Road, Canvey, was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, affray, possession of an offensive weapon and making threats to kill in relation to the latest incident. He faces a trial at Basildon Crown Court on Monday.