A MEMBER of the public has been praised by police after he helped an officer arrest a violent suspect.

PC Ian Turner and his police dog Argon had made their way to O’Connors in Hall Street, Chelmsford following reports that two men had been spotted in the area who were wanted in connection with an assault.

The assault is alleged to have happened at 5.30pm on Friday May 8 in Duke Street, Chelmsford when three men tried to urinate on a group of people sat on the floor. When a man tried to intervene to stop the trio, he was assaulted.

After PC Turner heard CCTV operators had spotted one of the men matching the description of those responsible for the assault he headed down to Hall Street at around 6.20pm later that evening.

PC Turner saw a man, matching the description of one of the suspects heading in to O’Connors. The constable went into the bar where he spotted one of the suspects. As he tried to arrest the man, the suspect became violent.

He grabbed the officer around the neck and even tried to flee the bar. Quick thinking PC Turner managed to wrestle the suspect to the floor, however the individual was becoming increasingly violent.

Thankfully a good Samaritan, a man who had been drinking in the pub, immediately came to the officer’s aide and managed to handcuff the suspect during the struggle.

As further police officers arrived, the man was successfully arrested.

Following the incident Insp Brad Dickel, of Essex Police’s Dog Unit praised the actions of both PC Turner and the member of the public.

He said: “PC Turner had no hesitation in seeking out these suspects. He headed into a bar where he knew he would be outnumbered and the situation presented extremely challenging circumstances in which to make an arrest.

“As predicted the arrest did prove challenging as the suspect was particularly violent and no other members of the public stepped in to help PC Turner.

“I would like to thank the man who did help my officer. It showed a great sense of public-spirit and courage, as he stepped in to help PC Turner without hesitation and without thought for his own safety.

“Essex Police are extremely grateful to this man for his actions.”

A 23-year-old man from Chelmsford, arrested on suspicion of causing GBH with intent and resisting arrest, has been released on bail until June 14 while police continue to investigate.