A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of rape in Braintree as part of “high-harm” crackdown.

Officers from the Operational Support Group (OSG) made eight arrests on Saturday, locating wanted suspects and dangerous offenders.

The OSG supported local officers with two simultaneous warrants at addresses in St Osyth, and one man was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and a firearm.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs in Braintree, and another person arrested in Braintree on suspicion of rape.

One man was arrested in Maldon who was wanted for assaulting an emergency worker.

Another man in Ardleigh had a warrant for his arrest, and one woman in Clacton was arrested on suspicion of theft.

One man was stopped on the roads after officers were suspicious of a vehicle and arrested him for multiple traffic offences as well as being on recall to prison.

Det Supt Gary Biddle said: “Our officers will be wherever our colleagues need support.

“One day we are looking for and arresting suspects connected to serious crimes or those that may have been evading justice.

“The next we are on the major roads and rural lanes of Essex making sure drivers are behaving responsibly.

“We look forward to doing this all again.”