MACHETES, knuckledusters, and flick knives have been taken off the streets of Basildon as part of a police crackdown.

Essex Police has been tackling high-harm crime in Basildon and have since made more than 50 arrests, removed 2kg of drugs, and seized numerous illegal weapons from the streets.

This is part of Operation Mantis which targets individuals known to be involved in knife crime, drug dealing and robbery after several incidents in the town in the lead-up to Christmas.

Proactive disrupting tactics have been used in 2023 to take down drug lines and a substantial amount of intelligence has been gathered to help bring the cohort of persistent offenders to justice.

Weapons including machetes, knuckledusters, flick knives and Rambo knives have also been seized.

Harry Shelton, acting inspector of Basildon’s community policing team said: “The nominals identified have been committing high-harm crimes and been linked to a number of serious offences including stabbings and life-threatening incidents.

“The aim of mantis is to disrupt and deter offending and bring those we know are committing these crimes before the courts.

“We have also put long-term strategies in place with partners including the council, the youth offending team, the probation service and local schools to reach associates of the people we are targeting to deter them from committing crime or prevent them from reoffending.”

Officers add that they are continuing with high-visibility patrols in areas including Basildon town centre, the Somercotes estate in Laindon and parts of Vange and Pitsea.

Essex Police has also deployed a new OpenGate mobile weapons detection system across key locations in the borough including the town centre.

It says this is key to catching those with weapons.

There is also a strong uniformed presence at the gate, plain clothes officers are stationed nearby to spot anyone who suddenly makes a diversion when they see the detector.

Chief inspector Dan McHugh, Basildon district commander added: “We have dedicated officers working round-the-clock to prevent crime and reduce knife offences in the district.

“We have made a number of significant arrests and brought charges against the individuals who are causing the most harm.

“This work is ongoing and will help to protect the public.”