FOUR people were arrested for various violent offences in Southend.

Essex Police and British Transport Police carried out a joint operation on Wednesday to disrupt criminals around train stations.

BTP officers and their police dog Dudley were also patrolling the train carriages.

A number of arrests were made during the patrols.

A 17-year-old boy from South Ockendon was arrested at Southend Central train station when officers found a knife in a bag. He was charged with possession of a knife in a public place and is due to appear at Basildon Youth Court on Tuesday 18 February.

An 18-year-old man from Purfleet was arrested at Southend Central train station on suspicion of a robbery in London.

An 18-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested in Newington Avenue, Southend, and later charged with assaulting a woman and threatening to damage property.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Thursday January 23.

A 35-year-old woman from Southend was stop searched in London Road, Westcliff, and arrested on suspicion of theft.

She was later charged with theft from Aldi in London Road and is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Thursday February 6.

The joint operation was part of Operation Sceptre, Essex Police’s work to tackle serious violent crime.