A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs after a day of police action in Southend.

On Monday, police officers from the Operational Support Group, Southend Town Centre Team and Southend Proactive Team were out and about in Southend high street and surrounding areas running an operation to tackle knife crime and nuisance behaviour.

During the operation, led by Sgt James Brewer, one man was arrested for drugs-related offences, a number of community notices were issued and more than 30 people were stopped.

A spokesman for the police said: "This operation was used to help train our student officers. They were supported by our teams and provided with the skills and knowledge to stop and search people, disrupt anti-social behaviour and engage with the local community.

"These skills are invaluable and will be used regularly when they complete their training and head out to police the county.

"The officers searched 19 people and stopped an additional 18 people, using their stop and search powers where appropriate. As a result of this, they seized one vehicle for driving without any insurance, reported one person for possession of cannabis and issued one Community Protection Notice and one Community Protection Warning. They also submitted three intelligence reports."

A 24-year-old man from Cardiff was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He has been released under investigation.

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