TWENTY new recruits have proudly passed out and welcomed into Essex Police.

The officers have spent the last 20 weeks training to police constables and were welcomed into the force in front of their family and friends on Friday after pledging their commitment to Essex Residents.

Acting on behalf of chief constable Stephen Kavanagh, deputy chief constable Matthew Horne thanked the team for all of their hard work during their training and wished them well in the future as PCs.

One of the officers could not join his colleagues in the passing out parade after he was stabbed in the hand while trying to apprehend a knifeman while off-duty.

The officer, aged in his 30s, was walking his dog in an alleyway between Langham Drive and Bardfield Way in Rayleigh when he saw a man looking into people’s gardens.

When he challenged him and said he was a police officer, the man stabbed him in the left hand with a knife before running off.

He was praised by Mr Horne for his bravery.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "The new recruits made their first arrest ahead of passing out, when they were called to a burglary in Chelmsford on Monday May 16.

"The team arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of burglary and he has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

"As well as fighting crime, they also raised £2,180 for the Centre for Action on Rape & Abuse (CARA).

"The team raised the money after participating in a 17-mile sponsored walk and baking hundreds of delicious cakes to sell to colleagues."