ESSEX Police have gone public to express the force's determination to improve road safety across the county's roads, saying: "We want to make our roads in Essex the safest they can be for all road-users and to prevent criminal activity which relies on the road network."

Sergeant Martin Allen, of the force's Road Crime Team, says: "Crime on the roads is not just about speeding or driving without a seatbelt or insurance, it's also about high-value car thefts, drugs and fraud. 

"We work with colleagues to disrupt and deter people intent on using our roads to commit crime. Our intelligence-led, targeted activity helps us to do this, while making our roads safer for law-abiding motorists."

The Road Crime Team and Roads Policing Unit joined forces with the Operational Support Group, Dog Section, volunteer Specials and Metropolitan Police colleagues to tackle road-related crime and anti-social use of roads around the Essex-London border in recent days.

During two nights of targeted patrols, officers made nine arrests and recovered a stolen vehicle and £10,000 cash.

And the operation got off to a good start on the first evening, with officers receiving a report that a vehicle stolen in London had made its way into Essex.

Just seven minutes later, officers stopped it and arrested the driver on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle. He was also arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and being a disqualified driver.

Two more drivers were arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicles during the second night.

Over the two nights, a further four people were arrested, for drug- and drink-driving, possession of cannabis, aggravated burglary, fraud and for failing to appear at court.

Officers also dealt with incidents of poor and dangerous driving, reporting 15 drivers for a variety of traffic offences, including speeding, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. They also attended the scene of a collision.

Sgt Allen,says: "As usual, the operation was a fantastic success with nine arrests made by Essex officers. We've also gathered plenty of intelligence for future use and officers conducted 19 stop and searches and 23 stop checks. A further five people were searched for drugs.

"Our roads are the life-blood of this county and we don't want them used as 'arteries of harm'.

"We aim to reduce offences committed by road-users, actively seek out and arrest offenders and keep our roads moving.

"Every day, officers work with our communities and partners to make our roads safer for everyone.

"But we need your help to do this, so if you have information about poor driving or criminal activity on our roads, we want to know. Dash-cam footage is particularly valuable."

Tell us what you know say Police

If you see something which you feel needs police attention, or you have information about a crime, anti-social behaviour or criminal activity, ring 999 if it is an emergency or a crime in progress, otherwise you can report it online at www.essex.police.uk. Alternatively, you can ring 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, online or by calling 0800 555 111.

Extra Eyes

You can also provide Extra Eyes with information about dangerous, illegal or poor driving, or about drivers taking unnecessary risks on our roads by visiting https://saferessexroads.org/extraeyes/extra-eyes-what-next

This includes speeding, careless driving, going through red lights, contravening traffic signs and using mobile phones whilst driving.

You can submit dash-cam footage at any time to Extra Eyes but please adhere to the following so that we have the best chance to progress your complaint:

• You and any other witness must be willing to attend court to give evidence
• Footage must be unedited, clear and in focus
• Vehicles must be identifiable
• Submissions must be made within 48 hours of the event

Footage must show instances of driving behaviour which amounts to careless driving or leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.

Where the alleged driving amounts to an offence and there is no footage, an independent witness, not within your vehicle, is required.

Police added: "We do not encourage you to proactively seek out examples of poor driving; it should be captured on dash-cam as part of your normal journey."