More than a dozen officers reported being bitten, spat at and assaulted across south Essex over the weekend.

In total, 14 police officers reported being assaulted over the weekend during four separate incidents in the south of the county.

Some of the officers reported being bitten and spat at while attending incidents in Basildon and Southend areas on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “Every day our officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities and do so with courage and professionalism.

"In the south of the county alone this weekend 14 colleagues reported being assaulted at incidents – this is not acceptable.

"It is testament to their dedication that they all remained on duty to continue helping to protect the public during a busy weekend and they are being supported by their managers.

"I am incredibly proud of them and all our officers who at times put their safety at risk to keep Essex safe.

"As the charges that have resulted against suspects this weekend demonstrate, we will act swiftly.”

Abigail O’Brien, 23, of Long Riding Basildon, was arrested and later charged with three counts of assaulting an emergency worker after three officers reported being assaulted after attending reports of a disturbance in Long Riding on Friday night (June 14).

She is due at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on July 2.

John Collins, 21, of South View Road, Vange, was arrested and later charged with assaulting an emergency worker, assault, and criminal damage after an officer reported being spat at after attending a disturbance at an address in Southview Road, Vange on Friday, June 14.

He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on July 15.

Matilda Selby, 18, of Southbourne Grove, Westcliff, was arrested and later charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker after officers reported being assaulted in Warrior Square, Southend in the early hours on Saturday (June 15).

She is due at Southend Magistrates’ Court on July 1.

A 17 year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after seven officers reported being assaulted having attended reports of a disturbance at Pathways, Basildon on Thursday, June 13.

She has since been released under investigation