AN operation targeting criminal activity on the roads of Southend, Castle Point, Rochford, Basildon, Harlow and Stansted led to 29 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) across two nights.
Arrests were made for offences including car theft, possession of drugs with the intent to supply, dangerous driving, drug driving, driving while disqualified, and handling stolen goods.
In Southend, a pursuit led to a car crashing into a shop. Andrew Stevens, 20, of Gainsborough Avenue, Canvey Island, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a license or insurance, and possession of a Class A drug.
In total, 204 cars, motorbikes and mopeds were stopped, 36 were seized and 80 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, 94 immigration checks were carried out, and seven arrests were made for immigration offences, the majority for overstaying in the country.
The operation is led by Sergeant Dean Young, who said:
“The team are continuing to disrupt criminal activity. We’re making arrests, taking illegal vehicles off the roads, stopping dangerous drivers, and seizing drugs and weapons before they do damage on the streets.
“As well as our enforcement work, we’re speaking with delivery riders and making sure people in the gig economy are working legally and aren’t victims of exploitation. Our checks only take a couple of minutes and the drivers can get straight back to work.
“We have a strong partnership with the Eastern Region Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit and the Home Office, and our work to disrupt organised crime, safeguard the vulnerable, and create a hostile environment for those breaking the law will continue.”
