A police officer was attacked by a man at a leisure centre in Essex today.

Essex Police received reports that a man was acting suspiciously at Clacton Leisure Centre, in Vista Road, before an officer attended around 11.45am.

While making enquiries close to the football pitches, an officer stopped a man before being assaulted. The suspect then ran off.

It is understood there were a number of people playing football at the time of the incident, and police would like to speak to those people as witnesses.

Officers are also urging anyone with footage of the incident – inlcuding CCTV or dash cam – to contact Clacton CID on 101, quoting crime reference 42/119502/18.

Information can also be reported by visiting www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.