A POLICE officer single handedly confronted and detained two crooks who were armed with a machete.

Inspector Paul Austin from Grays LPT attended a call about a robbery in South Ockendon on Sunday, he attended as a single crew.

Inspector Austin confronted and detained two suspects simultaneously, one of whom was armed with a huge machete.

After detaining the crooks, back up arrived and the crooks, both male, were arrested.

Officers also located another two suspects in the near vicinity and arrested them shortly after.