THERE have been 15 arrests during a week of action to catch criminals across Braintree.

The operation, which including partnership work with a range of organisations including British Transport Police, Active Citizens and Neighbourhood Watch, ran from Monday, February 20 until Sunday, February 26.

It saw officers carry out a range of activities including executing warrants, increasing visibility of officers, and carrying out licensing checks.

A total of 15 people were arrested on suspicion of various offences including drugs offences, driving offences and robbery.

Officers also seized a large quantity of cash during an automatic number plate recognition operation on the A120 at Dunmow on Sunday.

-A vehicle was also stopped and searched in Bradwell and a five-figure sum of cash was discovered

-Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property

- 37 vehicles were stopped and six were seized for having no insurance

- Licensing checks also took place at 21 pubs and bars Community engagement events were also held in Saffron Walden, Halstead, Braintree and Dunmow, as well as villages and hamlets such as Cornish Hall End, Blatt Hall, Steeple Bumpsted, Ridgewell, Sible Hedingham, and Finchingfield.

District Commander for Uttlesford and Braintree, Chief Inspector Craig Carrington, said: "This week of focused activity marked an intensified effort of the work we do every day.

"We have listened to the concerns of residents and responded to them, using intelligence-led policing to focus on key crime types and offenders in both Uttlesford and Braintree districts.

"I want to make it clear that our work to tackle these issues does not now stop – instead we will continue to work with the community and our partners to keep Uttlesford and Braintree safe.”