POLICE joined forces with businesses as part of a crackdown on drugs, speeding and antisocial behaviour across mid Essex. 

Officers in Braintree, Halstead, Maldon, Witham and Utllesford joined forces and made five arrests during Operation Community last week. 

Two early-morning warrants were executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act in Calamint Road, Witham and a second one connected to Maldon’s High Street. 

An arrest was made on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and a community resolution for the possession of cannabis in the Witham area. 

Braintree officers arrested one man on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs near Panfield Lane and Halstead officers arrested a 14-year-old on suspicion of committing two robberies. 

The Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Team also arrested a man on suspicion of domestic abuse offences. 

The last arrest made by the officers was a woman on a warrant for failing to appear in court while two community protection notices in Peel Crescent, Braintree were issued tackling anti-social behaviour. 

Acting inspector Kevin Mayle said: “We are working every day to keep our district and our residents and visitors safe and catch criminals and we use proactive days to focus on local concerns, such as speeding, drugs and antisocial behaviour. 

“It was a good day. We made five arrests while the rest of our officers were patrolling across the district, listening to the concerns of residents, motorists, business owners and retail staff. The information we gather will help us to target future proactive operational activity."

Rural roads in the area were checked by police who inspected 58 vehicles and issued 22 traffic offences for speeding, which resulted in fixed penalty notices being issued. 

Insp Mayle said: “As part of our work towards achieving Vision Zero, the aspiration to have no deaths on our roads by 2040, officers also monitored traffic speeds in various rural locations. 

“The vast majority of motorists are law-abiding and respect the speed limits on our rural roads. 

“Speed limits are there to keep people safe and reduce the likelihood of road traffic collisions. Speeding is one of the Fatal Four offences we need to eliminate in order to achieve Vision Zero.”