A TOP cop has praised brave police officers following an “extremely challenging” week which has seen five officers assaulted.

Acting district commander Darren Deex said five officers have been assaulted in Tendring in the past five days, including a female officer who was left with a serious injury after being slashed in the face with garden shears.

She was taken to hospital but is now recovering at home.

Another female officer suffered a minor leg injuries as the pair tried to intervene during the disturbance between a group of adults and youngsters in Jackson Road on Tuesday.

An officer was also injured on Tuesday when a stolen van was driven into a police car in Centenary Way, Little Clacton, another was struck by a suspect while attending a disturbance in Cliff Road, Dovercourt, on Monday, and a fifth was head butted while attending an incident in Beach Road, St Osyth, on Wednesday.

Mr Deex said: “The past five days have been an extremely challenging time for my team.

“Five of our officers have been assaulted during this period and some of these injuries will not only be long-lasting physically but also emotionally and mentally.

“We are doing everything we can to support these officers, who were simply doing their job and in the process of trying to help people.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that violence of any description in Tendring will not be tolerated.

“I find it particularly galling a small minority think it’s acceptable to assault those who are here to protect us all and whilst thankfully incidents of this nature are few and far between it strikes a chord with every single one of us when it happens.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the community for their messages of support and well wishes for those officers injured.”

  • A message from Chief Superintendent Ewen Wilson

Mr Deex added: “The vast majority of the public understand we are going about our duty in extremely challenging times at the moment and I know all of the officers here in Tendring really do appreciate your support.

“I am proud of all my officers and support staff and they deserve my full public recognition and support for the outstanding work they are doing day in, day out, often working extremely long hours to get the job done.”

“We are working harder than ever to keep the streets of Tendring safe and can assure you that we will continue to do so.”

Two people were arrested in connection with the incident in Jackson Road and released under investigation.

Witnesses can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.