POLICE arrested six people, including three distraction burglars, and seized 11 vehicles during a road safety operation in Southend.

Officers from Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Unit worked with colleagues from the Safer Essex Roads Partnership and HMRC at stop-check sites on the A127 and London Road.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was used to identify suspect vehicles which were then stopped.

Sgt David Rudd said: “Unfortunately we continue to deal with irresponsible drivers who fail to abide by the law by using a mobile phone behind the wheel or refusing to wear a seatbelt.

“Although equally important, these operations are not just about detecting driving offences. They’re about detecting and deterring crime and ANPR is a crucial tool in helping us to do that.

“Yesterday a number of suspected offenders were arrested as a result of ANPR technology.

“Innocent members of the public have nothing to worry about but ANPR continues to make it more difficult for suspected criminals to operate in our county and get away with their crimes.”

Six men were arrested after the vehicles in which they were travelling activated the cameras.

Three of them were arrested together on suspicion of burglary in connection with a distraction burglary in Credo Way, Grays, on September 23, in which a woman in her sixties was conned out of thousands of pounds in cash.

A 20-year-old man from Basildon, a 28-year-old man from Dorchester and a 25-year-old man from Worcestershire were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

All of the men have been released on bail until November 24.

A 55-year-old man from Leigh was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

Officers later discovered he was wanted on warrant for failing to appear at court in connection with possession of class A drugs.

He was released on bail until October 28.

A number of road safety offences were also detected during the operation.

Seventy people were found not to be wearing a seatbelt including two child passengers under the age of 12.

A total of 34 drivers were dealt with for using a mobile phone behind the wheel and 26 for speed offences.

Eleven drivers were found not to have appropriate insurance and had their vehicles seized while nine were found not to have a valid MoT.

Two drivers were found to be driving other than in accordance of the terms of their licence and five were dealt with for careless driving.