A 20-plant cannabis haul was discovered after police attended reports of a woman being assaulted - leading to a man being arrested for multiple offences.

Police attended Belle Vue Avenue, Southend, and arrested a man on suspicion of assault after a woman reported being hit in the head.

But after further inspection of the property, 20 cannabis plants were found to be growing inside, and the man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, and possession with intent to supply.

Mark Flewitt, Southend councillor for public protection, said the incident is a prime example of “crime breeding crime”, with multiple offences taking place at one time.

He also urged the public to report every crime which is witnessed, even if it appears minor.

He said: “We have two very serious crimes here, firstly growing cannabis and then to allegedly assault a woman. It is despicable.

Echo: Mark flewitt

Unimpressed - Mark Flewitt

“Assaulting a woman is absolutely terrible, whether that be in a domestic fashion or not, to hit a woman is unacceptable.

“The fact that we have both crimes taking place here really does show this person deserves punishment.”

The man was arrested at the scene shortly after police arrived on Saturday at about 7pm.

He has been released on bail until January 18.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We received reports of a disturbance at an address in Belle Vue Avenue, Southend, at around 7pm on Saturday, December 29.

“We arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of assault after a woman reported being hit in the head.

“We then found around 20 cannabis plants inside and the man was further arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and possession with intent to supply.

“He has been released on bail until Friday, January 18.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or can report information anonymously through crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using the charity’s online portal, at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.