Essex Police makes 138 arrests in half-term crackdown

Officers made 138 arrests during half-term, Essex Police said

Teenagers who allegedly robbed someone of their designer coat were among the 138 people arrested during a week-long knife crime crackdown, police said.

Essex Police said its officers targeted anti-social behaviour and those carrying blades during half-term.

It said three people were arrested within 20 minutes of a knifepoint robbery in Southend-on-Sea where the coat and a bag were taken.

"We're already hard at work doing it all again," Supt Phil Stinger said.

The force said more than 1,200 officers were involved in the targeted action which took in 5,400 officer hours.

Arrests were made in Harlow as part of the action targeting knife crime and anti-social behaviour

It added that 243 people were stopped and searched, 1,500 speed checks undertaken and 91 uninsured cars seized.

"It is a countywide effort - we need all our staff working together, supported by the public providing really vital information and following our crime prevention advice," said Supt Stinger.

"This is just one week of 52 a year we spend taking knives off our streets and keeping our towns and cities safe."