ESSEX Police has reported on the success of what officers describe as 'a busy night in Corringham'.

Officers from the force's Thurrock Community Policing Team have given detaiuls of an operation which involved patrols in Corringham on the evening of Friday, 11 October.

It follows an advance annoncement that the force was targeting criminal and any-social behabour in the town.

A statement says: "The team were conducting robust, visible patrols, targeting recent Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) issues, both on foot and using vehicles.

"While in the town centre, they stopped and searched three men, under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The officers found and seized cannabis from one man who who subsequently dealt with.

"The team also stopped and searched a vehicle containing three men, after witnessing the use of CO2 canisters. During the search, officers found and seized six large CO2 canisters. All threemen were dealt with.

"The officers were then alerted to a vehicle failing to stop for police, with the vehicle making off into a nearby estate.

"Officers quickly located the vehicle, which had been abandoned. Initial enquiries led officers to confirm the vehicle as stolen. The vehicle was seized and recovered.

"The team then assisted with another incident where a stolen Toyota Rav4 and Mercedes both failed to stop for police, resulting in a short pursuit.

"One vehicle came to a halt in Stifford Roadm Graysm with the driver making off on foot into a nearby field.

"A local dog unit was hot on the driver's tail and it wasn't long before the police dog caught his man and he was arrested."