Police officers who were attacked and doused in petrol while making an arrest have been recognised for their bravery.

The officers were originally called to an address in Basildon to arrest a man who had been seen driving the wrong way down major roads in the town on a stolen moped.

The suspect was known to be a prolific offender.

When the officers arrived at the address in Basildon, they tried to arrest the man. PC Mark Thomas assessed the threat and risk, and red-dotted the man with his taser to ensure he was safely detained.

However, a hostile crowd of more than 30 onlookers had gathered and while the man was being detained his mother emerged from the crowd with a hammer in her hand.

She threatened officers as she ran towards them, was swiftly disarmed and detained while other officers restrained the man.The team were then assaulted by a second man, Justin Jackson, who was holding a watering can full of petrol.

He doused the officers in fuel as the crowd taunted the officers by smoking cigarettes.

Now soaked in petrol and despite the risks to their own safety, the officers continued to restrain the subjects to ensure their arrest.

The petrol had been dispersed with such force that two of the officers swallowed petrol, resulting in them being hospitalised, two needed medical attention to their eyes and others suffered superficial burns.

Chief Insp Jonathan Baldwin, PC Mark Thomas, PC Megan Rees, PC Andrew Bird, PC Zhak Burrows, PC Matthew Cutts, PC Stephen Gunshon, PC Jamie Richards, PC David Ford and PC Rory Leff are being recognised at the Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards' second annual event for their courage as they came under attack.

THE BRAVE police officers who tackled and arrested Sir David Amess’s killer have recounted the chilling moment the terrorist walked towards them with a knife.

PCs Ryan Curtis and Scott James were first on the scene of the horrifying incident at the Belfairs Methodist Church, which saw the Southend West MP stabbed to death.

Insp Andrew Jopson, Sgt Jonathan Main, and PCs Daniel Smy, L'Wren Bremer and Lily Wellington have also been given bravery awards for their work that day.

LIFE-saving police officers who rescued a badly beaten kidnap victim from the back of a car have been recognised for their heroic actions.

Sgt Al Kelly and Temporary Sgt Tom Matthews were called to deal with the incident in Grays after a 999 call had been made, claiming a man had been assaulted and shoved into a white Audi.

The duo were able track down the address where the vehicle was registered after a member of the public wrote down its registration plate.

Sgts Kelly and Matthews have both been awarded the Essex Police Federation Bravery Award for their life-saving actions in August last year.

HEROIC police officers who raced against time – and the incoming tide – to save a woman and children stranded on the mudflats off Southend have been recongised for their bravery.

Insp Tony Adams, Temp Sgt Amy Butler and PC Josh Woodcraft took matters into their own hands when they were first to arrive at the emergency incident off Chalkwell Esplanade.

A woman had made a 999 call to say she and three children had become stuck in mud and were at risk from the tide.

Insp Adams and the two officers have both been handed Essex Police Federation Bravery awards for their actions in June last year.