CONCEALED weapons were the subject of targeted searches taking place at locations across Southend today.

Officers from the South Operation Raptor team were out in force in York Road, Warrior Square and the town centre.

Supported by a police sniffer dog they carried out searches at all three locations looking for weapons concealed by those involved in street, drug and gang-related crime.

Items recovered included a telescopic baton, a knife and a baton. Officers also carried out stop searches but no-one was arrested.

In York Road, the officers were joined by the council’s ‘Make Southend Sparkle team’ and mayor Judith McMahon.

Sgt Ben Woollard of the Operation Raptor team, said: "The aim of today’s weapon sweep was to search the local area for items concealed by those involved in criminality.

"We know those involved in gang, drug-related and street crime do conceal weapons for their use in further criminality and we will do all we can to disrupt their activity and remove these items from our streets.

"The message from Essex Police is that if you can think you can bring weapons or drugs on to our streets we will find them and you.”