POLICE have given more details of their efforts to clamp down on criminals on the move in Thurrock – which resulted in the arrest of a Tilbury man on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after driving a car at another man in Grays.

Others arrested during the purge by Essex and London metropolitan Police officers include suspects wanted for drug-driving, assaults and burglaries.

It clampdown took place over Monday and Tuesday last week (13 and 14 July) as part of Operation Sceptre, a police initiative to tackle serious violent crime including knife and drug-related offences by targeting crooks travelling on the borders of Essex and London. Last week saw 43 arrests.

Among those held were a 24-year-old man from Tilbury was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after a 33-year-old man was struck by a car in Langthorne Crescent, Grays, on Tuesday, 14 July.

The victim was not injured. The suspect has been released under investigation while police continue enquiries.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs. Ten were arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of vehicles.

Eight were arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

Essex Police road crime manager Matt Hine said: "These operations have been really successful in targeting criminals, taking weapons off the streets and in some cases preventing crime before it's happened.

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"During these patrols we've also pulled people over for driving offences and have identified further more serious offences.

"These operations are just part of the work we're doing every day to keep people safe and how we work with other police forces to identify and target offenders."