Police were rushed off their feet when a spate of dramatic incidents disturbed the peace in Harwich within a few hours.

A 59-year-old man was arrested and cautioned after swearing and hurling racial abuse at another man in Market Street.

Just a few yards away in Harwich's Church Street, police were called to deal with another incident in which a man received an injury to his eye and lip after being attacked by another man wielding a pool cue.

The attack was reported to police at about 11.30pm on Wednesday, when a man was seen on the ground near to the Co-op shop, after being hit in the face with a pool cue.

An ambulance was called to the scene to help the 37-year-old victim, who had suffered cuts to his lip, where he had previously had surgery.

Four or five men are believed to have be involved in the violent attack. A 23-year-old man has been arrested by police and released on bail.

A few hours later, at 2.45am yesterday, police, including firearms officers, launched a raid on an address in George Street after obtaining a drugs warrant.

A quantity of illegal drugs and a stolen laptop, belonging to a school, were recovered from the bedsit.

Police were unable to confirm what the drugs were or the exact quantity.

A 20-year-old man was charged with possession.

Residents in the area were woken by the disturbances.

Tony Colbourne, a Harwich town councillor, said he had received calls from worried residents living in the old Harwich area who were concerned about the disturbances.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We have been working with the local community to gather intelligence for this operation to remove the dangers that drugs present in the community.

"We are continuing to appeal to the public to report any information they may have to help us target this type of illegal activity and bring offenders to justice."