A POLICE officer and a paramedic were assaulted during New Year celebrations with six people arrested.

A large dispersal order was put in place with the hope of clearing Southend of troublemakers during New Year celebrations.

Police deemed the order a success stating it had “kept a lid” on celebrations and “the majority of people were in good spirits” but emergency service personnel were still attacked while trying to keep people safe.

Two Rochford men were seen carrying a piece of wood in Lucy Road, Southend, and were subsequently arrested and handed adult cautions.

An adult caution was also handed to a 19-year-old from Southend after reports a paramedic was assaulted in Warrior Square at 4.30am on New Year’s Day.

Two men, one from Upper Edmonton, in London, and another from Southend, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer following an incident, also in Warrior Square, at 2.45am.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Officers involved in the dispersal order made six arrests with the majority of people in good spirits and enjoying the New Year celebrations.

"They arrested men, aged 35 and 37, both from Rochford, on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after being found carrying a piece of wood in Lucy Road, Southend.

“We also arrested a 19-year-old from Rochford on suspicion of common assault at around 4.30am after receiving reports a paramedic was assaulted in Warrior Square. All three received adult cautions.

A 34-year-old man from Upper Edmonton arrested on suspicion of assaulting and obstructing a police officer and common assault and a 24-year-old from Southend arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and actual bodily harm have been released under investigation.

A 23-year-old man from Rayleigh was also arrested in Alexander Road, Southend for allegedly breaching a court order.