A 12-year-old was arrested for robbery as part of a police crack down in violent crime.

He was among five people held after officers carried out warrants and arrests in Southend, Benfleet and Basildon on Monday, November 18.

The 12-year-old from Southend was arrested on suspicion of robbery following an incident in July in which two boys attempted to take another boy’s bicycle in Sutton Road.

A 58-year-old man from Benfleet was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms offences after a CS gas canister was found at an address in Kents Hill Road North, Benfleet. 

Police found suspected class A drugs at an address in Chestnut Grove, Southend, and arrested a 52-year-old man from the town on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of drugs.

The three people were released under investigation.

A 29-year-old man from Westcliff was arrested for failing to appear at court to face a drug-driving charge. He was transferred to court.

Adrian Landon, 37, of Hereford Walk, Basildon was arrested and charged with harassment. He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18 December.

The day of action was part of Operation Sceptre, Essex Police's ongoing work to tackle serious violent crime in public places.