POLICE made multiple arrests during a three day operation to tackle gang activity in Essex.

Teams have been set up in the north, south and west of the county to disrupt and dismantle urban street gangs who travel to the county to deal drugs and cause violence.

The three days of action took place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and aimed to crack down on gang members who travel from areas including London and Liverpool to sell drugs, cause violence, carry weapons and prey on the most vulnerable.

Officers were out in Braintree and Colchester on Tuesday and Wednesday where they executed search warrants at properties believed to be linked to dealing, stopped and searched suspected dealers and checked vehicles of interest.

Police arrested a 28-year-old man from Braintree during stop checks in Colchester.

Officers discovered he was wanted for failing to attend Colchester Magistrates’ Court in February 2016 on suspicion of theft and assault offences.

He was due before the courts on Tuesday.

On Wednesday a 31-year-old from Braintree was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs after she was stopped on Railway Street, Braintree just after 12.30pm. Cash and suspected class A drugs were seized.

She has been released on bail pending further enquiries until October 10, 2016.

A 42-year-old man from Dunmow was also arrested on Railway Street for failing to answer bail.

The man was later charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drug, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine and two counts of cannabis possession.

Supt Paul Wells, who is leading on Operation Raptor, said: "Drug dealing and violence between rival gangs understandably causes high levels of harm and unrest in our communities.

"I hope this week’s activity and the results achieved by the Operation Raptor teams so far help to reassure concerned residents that we are not ignoring the issue and are working to bring to justice gang members who think they can travel to Essex to commit their crimes.

"Drugs and weapons wreck and ruin lives and we will use a variety of tactics to bring to justice those who carry them. So far, the work of the north LPA team alone has resulted in gang nominals receiving prison sentences totalling 111 years.”

Roger Hirst, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, added: "It is clear that gang activity is having an increasing impact on parts of Essex, with often horrific assaults and even murders occurring as rival groups compete to sell drugs, leaving local residents feeling unsafe as they go about their daily lives.

"I strongly support police disruption of gang activity and welcome these Days of Action across the county. It is an essential part of our strategy to show the gangs that they will be brought to justice if they seek to operate in Essex.”