A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting and attempting to rob an off-duty police officer.

Last week, detectives issued CCTV of a man they wanted to speak to after the female special constable officer, in her 50s, was forced to stop her car in Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, at 3.30am on Sunday, August 24.

The man demanded that he be taken to the High Street. When the woman declined, he became violent and hit her before trying to take her keys.

Luckily, she was able to drive off before he could grab them.

The woman was left with minor bruising and swelling following the attack.

At about 6am the same morning another woman motorist reported that a very intoxicated man started banging on her car window and shouting at her in Chignal Road, Chelmsford.

She drove away from the man, who had a similar description, without further incident and did not wish to make a complaint.

Police have now arrested a 23-year-old man from Ipswich on suspicion of attempted robbery. He has been questioned and released on bail pending further inquiries until November 4.