ESSEX Police has issued pictures of its new fleet of high performance vehicles.

A statement from the force says: "We're continuing to invest to keep you safe on our roads and have added new vehicles to our fleet.

"Officers from our Roads Policing Unit are out every day targeting road users putting others at risk by speeding, drink or drug driving, and using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

"Last year, there were 57,000 speeding prosecutions. In that time we also arrested nearly 1,400 suspected drink drivers and nearly 1,100 people on suspicion of drug driving.

"They're also playing a key role in tackling criminals using our roads to commit crimes, disrupting their activities, and making arrests.

"We have some very significant roads in Essex and along with the Met Police and other neighbouring forces we have a number of ongoing operations that are targeting key routes linked to high-harm crimes including drug dealing, violence, sexual offences and burglary."

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: "The investment in these new vehicles just emphasises our commitment to keeping you safe on the road.

"We've also benefited from £1.5 million of funding from the Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner for in-car video (dashcam) which will see 80 cars fitted with them and this will be an absolute game changer.

"All of our roads policing officers now have laptops which means they won't have to return to police stations as often, and we've been able to invest in equipment such as portable weighing plates that allow us to do our jobs better.

"Through 2022 we will continue this work to help you when you need us, keep you safe from reckless road users, and catch criminals using our road network."