A manhunt has been launched after a police dog handler was attacked and had his squad car stolen with the sniffer dog inside.

Tony Turner, aged 35, is a suspect in the assault in Pudding Lane, Chigwell, which left the officer in hospital with minor injuries on Saturday (October 31).

The officer had been called to the scene of a car crash involving a grey BMW and was in the middle of carrying out a roadside breath test when he was attacked.

The suspect escaped in the police car with a police dog in the back.

The officer reported the assault and the vehicle was found, abandoned, a few miles away in the Redbridge Met area in Romford.

Nothing had been stolen from the car and the dog was unharmed but the officer received hospital treatment before being discharged.

Turner, whose last known address is Vincent Road, in Dagenham, is also known to frequent the areas of Romford, Barkingside and Broadstairs in Kent as well as towns on the south Essex border.

Turner is described by police as 5ft 7in tall, of proportionate build, with short dark brown hair. He has a tattoo of the name Kirsten on his left arm.

Chief Supt Sean O’Callaghan said: "This was a nasty assault on a police officer carrying out his duties to keep the people of Essex safe. We urgently need to find Tony Turner and speak with him.

"He is not someone that we would advise members of the public to approach. If anyone knows where he is or sees him they should call Essex Police on 999 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

A 28-year-old man from Swanley, in Kent, has also been arrested in connection with the investigation.

He was taken to Harlow Police Station for questioning before being released on police bail pending further enquiries.