SIX people were arrested in a week-long crackdown on dealers using Basildon town centre to brazenly peddle drugs.

Uniformed and plain-clothed officers patrolled the Eastgate Shopping Centre, Town Square and surrounding roads following increasing reports of shoplifting, antisocial behaviour and low-level drug dealing.

During the initiative, codenamed Operation Quicksilver, six people were arrested. Three were wanted men and another was arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs and for having a knife in a public place.

The cases are currently going through the courts.

Two others were released without charge.

The crackdown has been welcomed by business owners.

Tina Jones, manager at Mallards Jewellers, in Basildon Town Square, said: “We see things going on all the time - gangs, drug deals and people running away with bags of shopping.

“We did see a lot of police and it did seem a lot calmer than usual. Seeing the presence of the police gave everybody a bit of relief.”

Mike Horton, from the Eastgate Shopping Centre, added: “Eastgate welcomes initiatives of this nature and will always work as closely as possible with the local police for the benefit of the town centre.”

Chief Insp Sam Smith, district commander for Basildon, said: “We are sending out the message that you should not come to Basildon to shoplift, carry out antisocial behaviour or deal drugs otherwise you will be caught.

“We noticed that there was some low-level drug-dealing and shoplifting going on and we want to focus on that and show these people that they are being watched.

“We had a really positive response from the public, who were saying how much they appreciated seeing the uniformed police in the town.”

Anyone with information about criminal activity taking place in Basildon town centre can call Essex Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org