Two men have been arrested following warrants at two addresses in Harlow.

A police spokesperson said: “Officers from our Operational Support Group (OSG), Harlow Community Policing Team, and our Op Raptor gangs team entered properties in the Stow and Bush Fair areas of the town at just before 7am this morning (Friday 22 November) under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Officers seized a substantial quantity of Class A and Class B drugs, hundreds of pounds in cash, items linked to the production and distribution of drugs, and mobile phones.

Both men were taken to Harlow Police Station for questioning.

The warrants were part of the Clear, Hold, Build initiative to combat criminal activity in The Stow.

Clear, Hold, Build is a Home Office-backed scheme that brings together public services to cut crime and regenerate areas by tackling offending and addressing underlying issues affecting the local community.

The aim is to produce sustained, long-term change in places that have been blighted by serious and organised crime by pursuing offenders, breaking up and dispersing gangs, and creating strong, resilient neighbourhoods.

Inspector Leanne Archer of Harlow CPT said:

“We have now arrested more than 20 people linked to drug dealing and gang violence in The Stow. This is sending a very clear message to anyone involved in this activity – we will track you down and we will take you off the streets.

“If you live or work in and Harlow and suspect you’ve seen drug dealing taking place, please report it. You can do that anonymously via Crimestoppers and there are details of how to contact them either by phone or by scanning the QR code on signs in The Stow.

“Drug dealing is inextricably linked to serious violence and other types of crime including robbery and shoplifting. The more we know, the more we can do to keep the community safe from this type of offending.”