Officers made arrests for rape, sexual assault, conversive behaviour and other crimes as police cracked down on "high harm offenders" across south Essex over the weekend.

Police made arrests in Southend, Canvey and Basildon over the weekend in connection with a range of offences.

Essex Police's Operational Support Group stopped a man in Basildon in connection with ABH, sexual assault and controlling and coercive behaviour offences in Southend.

The team posted on Twitter about the incident and others on Saturday. A spokesman said: "We have been hunting down high harm offenders tonight. A 34 year old male has been arrested for GBH, theft of vehicle & damage. Arrested in Met Police area for offences in the Basildon area. An 18 year old male has been arrested in Canvey for rape in the Leigh area.

"We have also just stopped this car in Basildon and arrested a 28 year old male for ABH, sexual assault and controlling and coercive behaviour offences in Southend. Another high harm offender taken off the streets. He also didn’t have a licence or insurance so vehicle seized."