DRUGS worth more than £40,000 and £25,000 in cash were seized in a crack down on gangs and violent crime.

76 arrests were made between 14 September and 27 September during a number police operations across the county, including arrests linked to six drugs gangs, resulting in nine people being charged on suspicion of drugs offences.

Essex Police also made arrests for suspected weapon offences as well as the safeguarding of eight vulnerable people.

The force embarked on two operations to disrupt criminals using the roads, with officers working with the Metropolitan Police to "patrol the borders of Essex and London."

This included the A127 and A13, and resulted in 43 arrests.

Knife arches were used as part of the two week operation, with one installed at Southend Central train station.

Officers also carried out weapon sweeps in Mopsies Park in Basildon and extra patrols in Gloucester Park, also in Basildon.

A further joint operation with eight police forces across the UK saw 230 arrests and the seizure of weapons, drugs and vehicles, with gangs disrupted on the major roads and motorways in and out of London.

The Met, Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, Hampshire, City of London and British Transport Police, were all involved.

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Chief Inspector Lewis Basford said: “The majority of Essex residents will never be affected by drugs or violent crime and every day we’re working to keep it that way.

"Each day we’re out on patrols and gathering information to target criminals involved in drugs supply and violent crime.

"We also work closely with other agencies to protect young and vulnerable people who are used and exploited by these criminals for their own financial gain. 

“We will not stop doing everything we can to make sure our communities and most vulnerable residents are safe.

“There is nowhere to hide in Essex for those involved in drugs and violent crime.

"Working with neighbouring forces and other agencies is vitally important because these criminal networks often span wide areas and borders.

"We use our combined expertise and resources so we can target and dismantle these gangs and organised crime groups at every level.”

During the two weeks of action, the force executed 14 warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act, as part of investigations into drugs related crime.