POLICE have introduced a Stop and Search order in a bid to deal with incidents of anti-social behaviour when people have been reported to have been carrying weapons.

The powers have been granted to officers in the Basildon district who were alerted to four separate incidents this evening (Monday 30 August) involving assaults and reports of weapons being seen in the Billericay area.

Officers have been authorised under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. This means they will not need to have reasonable grounds to carry out a stop and search of persons in the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim White said: "The additional stop-and-search powers have been authorised as a precaution following reports of what we believe are targeted incidents.

"The use of these powers is not a decision we take lightly and are in place to keep the community of Billericay and its residents safe.

"You will see officers patrolling the area to identify anyone intent on committing crime and we encourage anyone who has concerns to speak to us directly or contact us on 101."

The order was authorised at 9.30pm today and will be in place until 9.30am tomorrow morning (Tuesday 31 August), covering the area highlighted in the map.