MORE than 300 cars were stopped in a major police operation to boost road safety and cut crime in Clacton.

Operation Surround A Town swung into operation yesterday with more than 40 officers carrying out roadside checks.

Police made three arrests.

A 67-year-old Clacton man, who was stopped at Jaywick Lane, was arrested after he was found to be wanted for making threats to kill at Waltham Abbey on November 23.

He was bailed pending further inquiries and cautioned for possessing cannabis.

A 32-year-old woman, of no fixed address, was charged with possessing cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines. She was bailed to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on December 18.

And a 35-year-old man, of no fixed address, was found to be wanted on a court warrant for causing actual bodily harm. He was detained in custody to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court today.

Six uninsured vehicles were seized, 32 drivers were seen using mobile phones, 21 vehicles had no MOTs and 98 people were not wearing a seatbelt.

Sixty seatbelt offenders chose to take part in a road safety training course run instead of paying a £60 fixed penalty fine.

County council highways boss Derrick Louis said: "Whilst some drivers continue to put themselves and others at risk we will continue to target those individuals and work to make our roads safer."