SEVEN people were arrested on suspicion of drugs and weapons offences, as part of a police crackdown on serious violence across the Basildon borough.

A 16-year-old boy was held in connection with supply of class B drugs after being stopped and searched in Wickford.

He was found with £810 cash and two phones.

Officers searched his home and also found an imitation firearm.

Drama also unfolded on the night when a Ford Fusion failed to stop for officers in Eastmayne and then crashed into a parked car in South Mayne. The driver and passengers ran off.

Officers found a large knife and cannabis inside the car.

Meanwhile, officers stopped a Ford Fiesta in Felmores, Pitsea and the driver, a 30-year-old woman, from Basildon, was soon arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and released under investigation.

During the patrols, which all took place on Friday night, officers from the specialised Operation Sceptre team also arrested a 39-year-old man, from Thurrock, and a 20-year-old man, from Basildon, after they were found with wraps believed to contain class A drugs.

Essex Police did not specify where in Basildon this happened.

The pair were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs - and later released under investigation.

Other arrests included, an 18-year-old man from Pitsea, who was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of drugs, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop when directed.

An 18-year-old woman, from Southend, was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop when directed.

Meanwhile, other officers arrested a 17-year-old boy from Pitsea on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop when directed, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

And a 16-year-old boy, also from Basildon, was among those held and was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, possession of drugs, failing to stop when directed, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

They were all released under investigation.