Each time the men and woman of our emergency services respond to a call, they may have to deal with highly charged situations and run the risk of becoming the victims of an assault.

As fires are fought, criminals are caught and lives are saved, there is always the danger a paramedic, police officer or firefighter, will be attacked.

Last year, 152 police officers across Essex were attacked while on duty.

PC Mike Burrill, of Southend police, recalls being bitten, punched and headbutted by shoplifters who had stolen a crate of beer from an off-licence, in Woodgrange Drive, Shoebury.

He said: "I was in uniform and at the back of the shop taking a statement about another incident when I saw two lads on CCTV running out with a crate of beer.

"When I caught up with one of them he bit me, punched me and headbutted me. While I was on the floor his friend came back and hit me in the head about five times."

PC Burrill arrested one of the thieves and the other was soon picked up by a colleague. Both have pleaded guilty at court and await sentencing.

The incident was not the first time the officer has had to subdue a violent suspect.

He won two bravery awards from the police and Southend Council after a man with a knife attacked him.

PC Burrill said: "I nearly got stabbed on the seafront. It was Valentine's Day last year. I did a routine stop check on a male and pursued him when he ran off. As I caught up to him he pulled out a knife and swiped it at me."

The suspect then ran into a seafront restaurant which was full of customers, including small children.

PC Burrill again confronted the man and arrested him.

The officer was in not in uniform, but was wearing a protective stab vest, which is a vital piece of equipment issued to police officers.

Other equipment includes CS spray, batons and handcuffs.

Every officer is giving special self-defence training two days a year by one of 80 trainers.

Officers are also taught how to de-fuse a situation with their voices,as well as unarmed defence and the use of CS spray and batons.

Despite the threat of attack PC Burrill does not allow it get in the way of communicating with the public.

He said: "I try not to let it distance me from people. Its probably five per cent of people who cause all the trouble and everyone else is fine."

In the past ten months, there have been 45 assaults against ambulance staff in Essex.

In May last year, all 700 frontline crews were issued with stab vests at a cost of £400,000.

Spokeswoman Katie Poel explained: "If one of our crews iscalled to an incident and it is believed there may be a risk to their persons, they are instructed to organise a rendezvous point with police and go in with them.

"We do have the stab vests, so there are still dangers."

Earlier this month, a man was sent to prison for 28 days after he punched and kicked a paramedic as he tried to treat an injured woman.

The paramedic was answering a 999 call in Corringham when Greg Bushell, 31, of Victoria Road, Stanford-le-Hope launched a verbal and physical attack.

Last year there were 20 attacks on firefighters as they carried out their duties across Essex.

However, the actual figure is thought to be larger because many incidents go unreported by firefighters who shrug off the incidents.

Greg Keys, station manager, based at the fire service's offices, in Brentwood, said: "Most incidents come as verbal abuse or missiles being thrown at personnel or appliances.

"We are taking steps to try and increase the reporting of it."

He added: "The emergency services are there to respond to the needs of the public and I think we are looked on favourably, but you always get a few troublemakers. "