THREE charges have been made against a man arrested in connection with sex offences against a child in the Tilbury area.

Officers from Essex Police's Child Abuse Investigations Team launched enquiries after reports of sexual activity between the man and child. This followed reports of a man breaching his bail conditions.

Officers spoke to the child, putting support in place, and carried out a number of enquiries to locate a person of interest on Monday, 27 November.

After some swift investigative work, an arrest was made by officers from the force's Operational Support Group.

Tyrese Smith, 19, of Grove Road, Romford, has since been charged with three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 29 November and was remanded in custody until a hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 January.