Police carried out 18 stop searches in Basildon this week
It follows a number of reports of crime recently
Police carried out 18 stop searches in Basildon this week, following a number of reports of crime recently.
Essex Police say nothing was seized after the searches, but say they will continue to have a very visible policing presence across the district.
It comes as a section 60 order was put in place in Basildon on Tuesday night (3 January), following a number of reports of crime across the district.
Officers say the incidents included a robbery of a bicycle in West Thorpe which took place at about 4.30pm, a report of a group of people with an offensive weapon in The Chignalls, Laindon, at 5.45pm, a burglary in Rayside and a robbery in The Gore.
On each occasion, the suspects were described as young and had their faces covered. They were reported to have been armed with weapons including knives.
The order was put in place by police, which increases officers’ powers to stop and search people in a defined area.
It was in place until 7.45am on Wednesday (4 January).
Acting Inspector Emma Wells, of the Basildon Local Policing Team, said: “This order was put in place purely to ensure the safety of the Basildon public.
“Thankfully, despite these incidents of crime which were reported to us, there were no reports of any serious injury.
“We take every robbery and burglary – and indeed any incident involving violence or the threat of violence – extremely seriously and these incidents are being investigated by teams following a number of lines of enquiry.
“We continue to have a very visible policing presence across the district today. Officers are there to help you so if you have any concerns, please speak to them.”
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