Crime "hotspot" areas were searched for knives while police made a weapons arrest in targeted action against anti-social behaviour and knife crime in south Essex.

Essex Police officers across the county arrested 13 people in one day during the targeted patrols at the weekend.

Among these in Thurrock, one person was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon following patrols in Grays town centre, Grays and Chafford train stations and Lakeside shopping centre.

Two more people were giving community protection notices relating to anti-social behaviour.

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In the Castle Point and Rochford districts, specialist police officers detained a man who had a warrant for his arrest, and community support officers conducted knife searches of parks and were out on patrol in locations police have identified as potential crime hotspots.

In addition to these arrests, roads policing officers carried out two raids, 30 stop and searches, more than 150 vehicle checks, almost 600 speed checks, and seized 10 vehicles.

Superintendent Phil Stinger said: “This is a 24-hour snapshot of the work we do across Essex.

“These arrests show our hotspot patrolling is effective as well. We are working hard to make our towns and cities safer, to drive down ASB and to discourage anyone from carrying a weapon.

“The same goes for our major roads and rural lanes – we won’t tolerate dangerous vehicles or dangerous driving, and will seize your vehicle if we catch you breaking the law.

“Every day is different, and we’ll be doing it all again tomorrow.”