FOUR people were arrested and uninsured vehicles were seized during a two-day operation in Laindon.

It follows a recent spate of break-ins in the Lee Chapel North and Nethermayne areas which has seen old-style Ford vehicle broken into and sat navs, radios and other valuables taken.

As part of the crackdown officers patrolled in marked and unmarked cars and used the automated number plate recognition system to track stolen cars and uninsured vehicles.

They seized four uninsured vehicles and arrested four people including one man, caught driving a stolen car while under the influence of alcohol.

Insp Simon Dobinson said: "We need the public to give us information about the people they suspect of committing vehicle crime to help us continue to reduce vehicle crime and theft from motor vehicles. Don't leave valuables on display in cars."

l An 18-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of several motoring offences including aggravated taking without consent, drink driving and failing to stop after an accident, has been released on bail until later this month pending further enquiries.