Police are fighting back against London drug dealers selling cocaine and heroin on the streets of Braintree.

This week officers arrested five men after more than 100 wraps of Class A drugs were found in the town.

The men are accused of travelling from London in vehicles with drugs inside, which were stopped and searched in Meadowside on Saturday.

Drugs worth thousands of pounds were seized.

Chief Insp Craig Carrington, district commander for Braintree, reassured residents they are acting and urged anyone with information to get in touch to combat the problem together.

He said: “My message is clear – Essex Police will make arrests and target those who choose to commit crime in Essex.

“Officers acting on information from members of the community allowed officers to be able to respond to make these arrests.”

Officers stopped a Nissan Primera at about 4.20pm on Saturday where they found the wraps of Class A drugs.

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in supplying a controlled drug and possession of drugs.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in supplying a controlled drug.

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs.

All three are from London and were questioned and released under investigation while inquiries continue. Mr Carrington added: “Through working with the community across the district I am able to target my officers in the most effective way by getting the right people with the right equipment in the right place.

“We continue to work closely with the Met Police to share information and target those who decide to travel to the district to commit crime.”

A further two arrests were made last Thursday when police, acting on information, stopped a Toyota Yaris in Albert Road just before noon.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

A second 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and being concerned in supplying a controlled drug and possession of drugs.

Both are from London and were released under investigation while inquiries continue.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.