ESSEX Police officers made 11 arrests, identified a stolen vehicle 'chop shop' and recovered five stolen vehicles during a successful operation to tackle criminals in th Thurrock and wider Essex area.

The force's Road Safety Team led an operation from 13 to 15 January to target people to commiting crime or attempting to avoid arrest.

They were supported by officers from across the force, using shared intelligence to identify offenders and disrupt illegal activity.

This includes transporting stolen goods, drugs and weapons or using vehicles to commit offences and evade police.

Inspector Steve Rooney says: "We are committed to keeping Essex safe and that includes our roads. When criminals use them to commit crime, they put other road-users in danger.

"Operations like this one show our determination to catch up with offenders and take them off our roads.

"Our roads should be safe spaces for everyone."

Over the course of the three days, the Road Safety Team made 11 arrests:

• Five for drug-driving
• Five for theft of vehicles
• Two for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs
• One for an immigration offence.

One of those arrested, Brett Suckling, 51, of Rookery View, Grays, has already been charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine. He is due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on 12 February.

Another man, a 20-year-old from Tilbury, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine has been released under investigation.

And a third, Liam Bowers, 23, of Gumley Close, Grays, admitted three vehicle thefts when he appeared before Chelmsford magistrates on 15 January. He was ordered to wear an electronic tag for two years and given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years. Bowers was also ordered to pay a total of £4,000 in compensation and ordered to carry out 20 days of rehabilitation activity.

Officers also discovered two stolen vehicles in a chop shop – a garage where stolen vehicles are dismantled or given false identities. The vehicles were linked to thefts in Coventry and Finchley.

A large number of index plates relating to stolen vehicles were also recovered.

They recovered a further three stolen vehicles and ten others were seized because they were being driven without insurance or without a valid driving licence. Officers can remove these vehicles from the road immediately to protect other road users and uphold the law.

This operation is part of Essex Police's broader strategy to prevent offenders from using vehicles to cross the county or travel further afield to commit crime. By using intelligence to target the right people and deploying resources where they'll have the greatest impact, the force continues to protect communities and disrupt criminal networks.

Inspector Rooney adds: "We don't just react, we stop problems before they happen.

"By analysing intelligence and spotting patterns, we're making Essex a difficult place for criminals to operate.

"But we can't do this without the help of the public. So if you spot anything which doesn't look quite right, or you have information about a crime, please report it to us. You can do this online via our website at www.essex.police.uk/ro or by ringing 101. If it's a crime in progress, or someone's life is in danger, ring 999."