NOT everyone was happy to see more bobbies on the beat in Laindon over the weekend.

Armed with cameras, three officers from Essex Police's forward intelligence team joined Laindon neighbourhood police in spending four days patrolling the streets of Lee Chapel North, stopping and photographing known troublemakers.

But when the Echo joined the officers on Friday evening - day three of Operation Leopard - the troublemakers who usually plague the area were strangely absent.

Laindon Sgt Simon Mathias said: "The message has obviously gone around. We encourage those we stop and check to tell their friends what's happening.

"One drug addict told us to get lost because dealers won't deliver to her anymore."

Last week's patrols, which ran from 9am until 11pm Wednesday to Saturday, were the second time Operation Leopard had deployed in Lee Chapel North in the past three weeks.

In January, the Echo reported that when Operation Leopard visited the Vange 3/4 Estate, there was not a single reported crime during the four-day police blitz.

The idea behind the scheme is that, by using intelligence from crime reports as well as neighbourhood officers on the beat, police can target the areas worst hit for crime and antisocial behaviour.

Sgt Mathias said he believed photographing known troublemakers had a long-term effect on how likely they were to be involved in crime or antisocial behaviour in future.

He said: "In the back of their minds, they know they have had that intrusive contact and, if they do commit a crime, we have evidence that they were in the area and of what they were wearing."

Rav Singh, who manages the post office and off-licence in Ballards Walk, thinks the operation is having an effect.

He said: "There are usually about 45 kids hanging around outside the shop.

"A lot of customers feel happier and they don't feel intimidated coming to the shop now they're not there. If the police keep it up, it will be helpful."