THIS deadly weapon was among a haul, which included drugs and cash, taken off the streets of Southend as part of an operation to tackle violent crime in the borough.

Four people were arrested in a bid to target drug dealers in Southend.

Essex Police carried out warrants and stop searches across the town with the help of British Transport Police last night.

It was part of Operation Sceptre, which aims to tackle serious violent crime in public places - particularly knife crime - across the country.

A 27-year-old man was stopped and searched on Northumberland Avenue at 6.45pm.

Following his search, he was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and a large amount of cash was seized.

Police also executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at a flat in Victoria Road and arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of firearms offences.

Just before 10.50pm, olfficers stopped a green Ford Focus in Eastern Esplanade and searched the vehicle and two men inside.

The driver, a 29-year-old man from Westcliff, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of cannabis.

His passenger, a 25-year-old man from Southend, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply cannabis and assaulting an emergency worker.

All four remain in custody.

Inspector Ian Hughes, of Southend’s Community Policing Team, said: “We are committed to reducing county line activity in Southend. The amazing work of our Op Raptor South team and other partners consistently goes to show the devastation that these individuals can cause, not just to one another, but to our local communities.

“This is the most recent in many days of action, all of which have been supported by our colleagues in the British Transport Police who have played a key role in the success.

“Working together in an effort to stopping the spread of county lines via our rail networks is just one of the ways we are addressing this challenging crime type.

“To stop county lines you need prevention through education, intervention through positive opportunities, and where necessary enforcement and rehabilitation where the first two steps do not succeed.

"Along with our partners, we are committed to stopping this behaviour, with a drive to stop young people being drawn into a life of exploitation, danger and drugs.”