Suspected class A drugs worth £4,000 have been seized after officers stopped a car in Leigh and carried out a search.

Officers from the Southend local policing team saw the occupants of a red Saab acting suspiciously in Pinewood Avenue at around 10pm, on Saturday May 8.

They stopped the car in Eastwood Road North and carried out checks.

Officers from the new South Local Policing Area Disruptor Team assisted the officers with checks of the car and four occupants.

They found a large knife and recovered 354 wraps of suspected cocaine during searches at the roadside and in custody.

A 28-year-old man from Southend and a 38-year-old man from Westcliff were arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and being concerned in supplying a controlled drug.

An 18-year-old man, from Wickford, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and possession with intent to supply drugs.

And a 17-year-old boy from Leigh was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, being concerned in supplying a controlled drug, and possession of drugs.

They remain in custody for questioning.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are committed to tackling drugs supply in our county because of the harm it causes in our communities, especially to vulnerable people, and the links it has to violence and other crime.

"If you have information about drug dealing in your community, contact us online at essex.police.uk or call 101."

Information can also be given to charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org.