A man used a bike seat as a weapon during an "altercation" in a Westcliff street.
Police who were on patrol came across an incident in Hamlet Court Road on Tuesday..
Officers say a member of the public, who was doing some painting nearby, who came to the assistance of the officers.
A spokesman for Essex Police - Southend District said: "Two officers from our Community Policing Team were on patrol in Hamlet Court Road, when they came across an altercation between two men.
"The officers intervened and were struggling with one of the men, who was using a bike seat as a weapon. He was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and assault on an emergency worker.
"Officers would like to express their thanks to a member of the public, who was doing some painting nearby, who came to the assistance of the officers.
"The officers didn’t manage to get the good Samaritan’s details, but thank you."
Essex Police said a 42-year-old man was dealt with through a community resolution for both possession of an offensive weapon and assaulting an emergency worker.
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