Essex Police say an officer was left with a broken thumb, while trying to make an arrest in Shoebury.

Major concerns were raised on social media that there had been a stabbing on Elm Road last night (March 23), after neighbours had spotted an officer sitting wounded against a wall.

Witnesses reported seeing dozens of police cars and vans take to the scene, while a police helicopter was seen circling overhead around 8pm.

Thankfully it has been confirmed this morning that nobody was stabbed, and that there was no knife involved.

The officer had been attending an address as part of an investigation into an alleged breach of a court order.

While trying to make an arrest, the officer was injured - initially, it was suspected to be an arm injury but shortly after it emerged he turned out to have a broken thumb.

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Police officer suffers 'injury to arm' while attempting arrest

A police hunt soon took place to find the man who made off from the address, with residents reportedly seeing officers search in front gardens nearby.

It's believed the large police presence was in response to both the injury caused to the officer and the search which took place.

The officer was taken to hospital for treatment, while enquiries remain ongoing to locate the suspect.

A spokesperson from Essex Police, said: "One of our officers has been treated for a broken thumb after being injured during an arrest attempt at an address in Shoebury.

"It happened in Elm Road at around 7.30pm on Tuesday March 24.

"The officer has been taken to hospital for treatment and we are providing him welfare support.

"During the incident a man had made off from the address and enquiries are ongoing to locate him."