A PCSO has been assaulted while arresting a woman who was found acting suspiciously in a drug-dealing hotspot.

The incident took place on Sunday evening at about 5.30pm in Prittlewell Brook.

According to the Southend community policing team, the area has become a location where drug-dealing has been occurring for a sustained period of time.

As a result, the Southend CPT has been carrying out dedicated and targeted patrols in the area when a woman was spotted acting suspiciously.

Officers attempted to engage the 35-year-old woman which resulted in her assaulting a PCSO. The nature of the officer's injuries are not known at this time.

After searching the woman, they recovered a large quantity of suspected class A drugs.

She was arrested and charged with assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a class A drug and was due to appear in court this morning.

The incident was caught on body-worn video and the PCSO is believed to be making a good recovery.

Southend Inspector Ian Hughes condemned the behaviour and said: "I expect my officers to be able to come to work, investigate and prevent crime, and also to work with our community.

"I do not expect those we are seeking to protect to assault my staff when they are doing their job. This is totally unacceptable."