Parcels containing weapons and drugs intercepted by Essex Police
Essex Police has been working the UK Border Force to intercept illegal items before they reach the county's streets.
Last updated 17th Nov 2020
The two forces have been working together to intercept drugs and weapons that are being flown into the UK via a postal hub near Heathrow.
They say more than 120 parcels containing illegal items have been blocked in the last nine months - with the project receiving praise from the Home Secretary.
Of the suspicious packages referred since February, 67 contained weapons and 56 contained drugs.
Items found as a result of the operation included things like: knuckle dusters, CS spray, stun guns disguised as mobile phones, a walking stick with a concealed knife, and a bracelet with a hidden knife.
Operation Gloss sees UK Border Force staff identify suspicious packages that come in via international mail and pass them to Essex Police for investigation.
Officers say depending on the individual circumstances of each case, this could result in the people buying these items being arrested or having their homes searched.
Alternatively they say that it might be more appropriate to resolve matters through a caution or community resolution, or referring them to a diversionary scheme.
Or in some cases specialist officers can work with people who are being exploited by criminals, to educate about knife crime, and support them to safely exit gang life or a controlling relationship.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Knife crime and serious violence wreak havoc in our communities, which is why action like Operation Gloss, along with the wider efforts of police, Border Force and other law enforcement agencies, are vital when it comes to stopping dangerous weapons reaching our streets."
Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Basford, of the Serious Violence Unit, said: “Ultimately we’re making sure these weapons and drugs don’t get onto the streets of Essex.
“Working with Border Force, we are quickly identifying buyers and taking appropriate action.
“Sometimes we find that people buy items online and don’t realise they are illegal in the UK. In those cases, our approach is primarily to explain and educate.
“But we are also identifying individuals who are knowingly committing offences but think they can get away with it. They won’t.”