POLICE officers tackling high-harm crime in Basildon have made more than 50 arrests and removed 2kg of drugs and numerous illegal weapons from the streets.

Operations Mantis is targeting individuals know to be involved in knife crime, drug dealing and robbery after several incidents in the town in the lead-up to Christmas.

Proactive disrupting tactics are being used to take down drug lines and a substantial amount of intelligence has been gathered to help bring the cohort of persistent offenders to justice.

Weapons including machetes, knuckledusters, flick knives and Rambo knives have also been seized.

Acting Inspector Harry Shelton of Basildon Community Policing Team said:

"The nominals identified have been committing high-harm crimes and been linked to a number of serious offences including stabbings and life-threatening incidents.

"The aim of Mantis is to disrupt and deter offending and bring those we know are committing these crimes before the courts.

"We have also put long-term strategies in place with partners including the council, the youth offending team, the probation service and local schools to reach associates of the people we're targeting to deter them from committing crime or prevent them from reoffending."

Officers are continuing with high-visibility patrols in areas including Basildon town centre, the Somercotes estate in Laindon and parts of Vange and Pitsea.

The new OpenGate mobile weapons detection system has also been deployed at key locations to catch those carrying weapons. As well as having a strong uniformed presence at the gate, plain-clothes officers are stationed nearby to spot anyone who suddenly makes a diversion when they see the detector.

Basildon District Commander Chief Inspector Dan McHugh

Basildon District Commander Chief Inspector Dan McHugh said reducing high-harm crime is an absolute priority for his team and that dealing with the persistent offenders would make the district a safer place to live.

"We have dedicated officers working round-the-clock to prevent crime and reduce knife offences in the district.

"We have made a number of significant arrests and brought charges against the individuals who are causing the most harm. This work is ongoing and will help to protect the public."

An officers searches a suspect

Ch Insp McHugh added that people in Basildon should not be alarmed by seeing a strong police presence.

"We take these offences incredibly seriously and our officers are out on patrol every day to keep local communities safe.

"We are listening to the concerns of the public and we would ask anyone who has information to report it online.

"It's a very small minority of people who are committing these offences. We know who they are, we have active cases being built against them and are we are working to bring them to justice."