POLICE are appealing for information after reports of women being sexually assaulted in Southend High Street today.

Police were called shortly after 4.05pm with reports that a number of women had been assaulted.

An officer on proactive patrols was on the scene within minutes and a 37-year-old man from Southend was arrested inside the Royals Shopping Centre.

He is currently in custody.

It was reported the officer was assaulted during the arrest and he has been taken to hospital.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the reported assaults on the High Street or have any information about them to contact us.

"If you have any information, CCTV, or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote incident 760 of 4 October.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week."

Visit www.essex.police.uk or call 101 to submit a report. To make an anonymous report, contact independent charity Crimestoppers by visiting their website or calling 0800 555 111.