Nineteen people were arrested in 24 hours by officers patrolling two major roads in Essex.

Officers from across Essex Police's roads policing unit, operational support group and dog unit were monitoring the behaviour of drivers and results from ANPR cameras on the M25 and A12 to detect whether anyone was driving illegally or unsafely.

As well as the arrests, they seized 13 vehicles for lacking the appropriate insurance and issued 71 traffic offence reports, which could mean a driver has to undertake a diversionary course, pay a fixed penalty fine, or may be summonsed to court.

Ford transit van stopped by policeFord Transit van stopped by police (Image: Essex Police)

Officers also stopped several vehicles believed to be linked to criminality or associated with those wanted for crimes in Essex during the operation on Friday.

Among those arrested were four people wanted for a range of offences, including one man stopped as officers believed he was not wearing a seatbelt. Once stopped it was discovered the man had failed to attend a court hearing and was arrested.

Another van stopped by policeAnother van stopped by police (Image: Essex Police)

Separately, a man wanted on suspicion of making threats to kill and criminal damage was arrested, and a woman wanted in relation to a theft being investigated by the Metropolitan Police was also detained.

Another woman was arrested on suspicion of the theft of a vehicle and the vehicle was recovered.

BMW pulled over by officersBMW pulled over by officers (Image: Essex Police)

Nine people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving. Among them were further arrests for taking a vehicle without consent, driving without a license, and drugs possession.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

BMW seized by policeBMW seized by police (Image: Essex Police)

Inspector Emma Patterson said: “Driving safely is a responsibility and a requirement, not an option.

“If you are unfit to drive, if you’re vehicle is unfit to be driven, or you have failed to arrange the proper insurance for your vehicle, our officers will stop you.

“Behaviour like this can be even more dangerous on our faster major roads.

“It’s why we work with partners through the Safer Essex Roads Partnership to bring down offending on our roads, and towards our goal of Vision Zero – no deaths on our roads by the year 2040.”