MORE THAN 250 weapons have been seized across boot sales in Basildon.

Essex Police have seized more than 250 weapons over the last 24 hours which were being sold by vendors at Basildon boot sales.

The matter was investigated after Basildon CPT had vendors and customers raise concerns over knives and weaponry being sold to the public.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Our teams have investigated this matter and over the last 24hrs, over 250 weapons have been seized from these boot sales and taken off of the streets.

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“Not only this; the teams have made arrests and searched premises in connection with the sale of these weapons so that more could be seized and taken out of reach of criminals and those who intend on doing harm.

“While we acknowledge a person’s right to make a living and sell various products, new pieces of legislation have come into effect banning the possession of certain weapons.

“Section 46 of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 makes it an offence to possess in private certain weapons including knuckle dusters, flick knives, zombie knives, curved swords as well as others.”

Due the legislation being new, Essex Police have now begun an extensive educational campaign to educate vendors and merchants.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We will be visiting boot sales on a regular basis to ensure that educational information is being distributed and such prohibited weapons are not being sold.”