Two nights of an operation targeting criminal activity on the roads of Chelmsford, Maldon, Southend and Basildon led to 26 arrests.

Officers from Roads Policing, the Operational Support Group (OSG) and Intelligence worked together to intercept vehicles using proactive stops and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

Arrests were made for offences including drink and drug driving, driving without insurance, being wanted on a recall to prison, and breach of a court order.

In total, 240 vehicles were stopped, 18 were seized and 67 tickets were issued for traffic offences.

The team also focused on exploitation and road safety in the gig economy, working in partnership with the Home Office.

Riders working for takeaway delivery companies were checked to make sure they had the correct licences, insurance and the legal right to work.

Across the two nights, 111 immigration checks were carried out, and nine arrests were made for immigration offences, the majority for overstaying in the country.

The operation is led by Sergeant Dean Young, who said:

“We have now carried out eight Op Competition deployments, and every time we’ve been able to disrupt criminal activity and protect people on our roads.

“We continue to seize vehicles and arrest drug and drink drivers, and alongside this, we’re talking to people working in the gig economy to make sure that they’re not being exploited and are working here legally.

“If you are using the road network in Essex, and you’re committing offences or exploiting people, we will be on your tail.

“We have strong links with the Eastern Region Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit, and with Home Office colleagues, and we’re working together to stop organised crime, protect the vulnerable, and intercept individuals committing offences.”

With permissions https://essexpolicemedia.co.uk/