A MAN is in custody after a police officer was racially abused in Basildon.

Officers were patrolling Basildon town centre yesterday to monitor the shops that were re-opening across the town.

However, the Town Centre Team came across one person who was behaving in a drunk and disorderly fashion and causing problems for other people.

As the officers arrested the man, it is alleged he yelled racial abuse at one of them, and he was further arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated public order.

A spokesman for the team said: "As the footfall in the town centre continues to grow, the Town Centre Team will be on hand to ensure those intent on ruining it for others, are swiftly dealt with."