A TEAM of officers in Southend introduced to tackle prolific and wanted offenders has made their 500th arrest today.


The Southend Proactive Team, which consists of one sergeant and five police constables, was established in October 2018 and today they reached a landmark figure after arresting a man for failing to appear at court for impersonating a police officer.


The team have had successes this month including executing a warrant in Randolph Close, Leigh, on Tuesday December 10. 


William Drogman, 28, of no fixed address, and Thomas Tolliday, 27, of Randolph Close, Leigh, were charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and have been remanded to appear at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday January 9.


The team arrested James Mitchell, 40, of no fixed address, on Tuesday December 10, and he was jailed for 52 weeks at Southend Magistrates’ Court for two counts of theft of car and one count of making off without payment and driving while disqualified. 


He was banned from driving for a further 18 months.


It follows reports on a vehicle stolen from Brook Road Industrial Estate, in Rayleigh, on Wednesday July 31 and from Leigh refuse centre while a man was unloading rubbish on Thursday August 1. 


On Tuesday December 17, Jorge Mendes, 18, of no fixed address, will appear at Basildon Crown Court charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin and possession of a knife.


It follows an arrest in Maldon Road, Southend, on Monday November 18.


Sergeant Adam Jarvis, of Southend’s Proactive Team, said: “Over a short period of time we have executed various drugs warrants, captured violent offenders, located wanted criminals, recovered stolen vehicles and taken lots of weapons and drugs off our street.


“We have also seen offenders receive lengthy custodial sentences.


“In October this year, the team were shortlisted for a force award for our work in helping to keep Southend safe.


“I want to stress that it really isn’t not about arrest numbers, it’s much more than that. It’s about supporting our colleagues with their investigations, being visible, bringing people into custody for questioning and protecting law abiding people within Southend.”