A POLICE officer on a motorbike was knocked to the ground in a hit-and-run as he tried to pull a car over.

The officer was carrying out a routine patrol in Clacton when he spotted a driver using a mobile phone.

He pulled the car over and followed it into a parking bay in Crossfield Road.

But as the policeman parked the bike, the car reversed and knocked him over before driving away.

It happened at about 10.45am on Wednesday.

The officer suffered back pains but did not need medical treatment.

A teenager was later arrested in connection with the incident when he attended Clacton police station.

The 18 year-old from Clacton was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop, as well as assault causing actual bodily harm, driving without insurance and having no driving licence.

He has been bailed until November 24 while police investigate.

Any witnesses who have not spoken to police should call PC Lance Hutchin at the Essex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101.