AN unrepentant youngster has been arrested and charged after assaulting a police officer in Tilbury.

Essex Police's Thurrock town centre policing team leader Sgt Ben Forbes has detailed how his officers were forced to deal harshly with a young person involved in a disturbance in the town on Saturday.

He says: "Town centre officers responded to a disturbance, whereby a juvenile decided it would be acceptable to assault one of our officers.

"The juvenile, who would not engage with police or any support services, was subsequently charged and we hope will engage with the criminal justice system when they appear in court in due course.

"It is never acceptable to assault an emergency worker and it is a huge shame this young person does not see the errors in their behaviour.

"We will work with our partners to make sure education, support and due process is given to them in line with the justice system.

"Once again we are seeing the results of our commitment to deliver visible, proactive patrols in our town centres."

Sgt Forbes has also detailed another arrest made by his officers in Grays.

He reports: "Officers were on proactive patrol in and around the town centre when they witnessed a male shoplifting.

"The male attempted to escape but was swiftly detained by your town centre officers with the stolen property still on his possession.

"The male has been charged with one count of theft and will appear in court in due course."