ESSEX Police’s zero tolerance approach to drugs and weapons once again paid dividends.

The first search found teenage suspects to be in possession of drugs and weapons.

The Castle Point and Rochford community policing team discovered two bags of cannabis when searching a car in the Grange car park, Little Wheatley Rise.

A police spokesman said: “Excellent proactive work from our local policing team.

“A stop check was performed on a vehicle parked at the Grange car park, Rayleigh on November 12 at 2am.

“They found six people aged between 15 to 17 with a knife and two big bags of herbal cannabis.

“They have been reported for various offences and their parents were informed.”

Three of the boys, aged between 15 and 17, were reported for possession of class B drugs.

June Lumley, councillor for Sweyne Park and Grange, said she was happy that police were taking measures to ensure the ward’s safety.

She said: “I do not know if we have much an issue in that area, there has been some concern from residents in the past number of years.

“I am encouraged the police have been keeping an eye on the area.

“It is also good news for the younger people and the local community that they are keeping watch in our area and keeping us all safe.”

In a second successful search, police cautioned a man for possession of cocaine and cannabis following an early morning raid of his home in Great Wakering.

The drugs was found when police searched the man’s house in Twyford Avenue on Saturday morning at around 7am.

A police spokesman said: “Police executed a warrant in Twyford Avenue, Great Wakering, at around 7am on Saturday, November 18.

“Officers found a small amount of cannabis and cocaine and a man received a street caution for possession of class B drugs.

“He was reported for possession of class A drug.

“Police also found a knife at the address and that has been seized by officers.”