ESSEX Police officers led a joint operation targeting criminals working across the borders of Essex, Hertfordshire and London.

Op Claymore saw us team up with the Hertfordshire and Metropolitan police forces to apprehend vehicles in the west of the county, particularly in and around Harlow and Epping Forest.

Twelve arrests were made in a single evening on suspicion of crimes including burglary, drug supply, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of an offensive weapon.

Seven vehicles were also seized.

The cross-force team responded to automatic number plate recognition hits from vehicles believed to be involved in criminal activity. They were supported by specialists from our Dog, Traffic and Stolen Vehicle Intelligence units.

PC Ross Ashcroft coordinated the operation.

He said: “The intention of this operation was to use proactive policing to prevent and disrupt travelling criminals from crossing our borders in order to commit crime.

“We were focusing on those criminals who have the biggest impact on our communities – those who commit serious crimes including burglary, theft of and theft from motor vehicles, and serious violent crimes.

“It was a very productive and successful night with a number arrests made and a lot of intelligence gathered.

“One of the best results we had was after a vehicle failed to stop for us in the Harlow area. We stopped the vehicle and found drugs and a knuckleduster, so we arrested the driver for failing to stop for police, possession of drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon.”