A SCHOOLBOY has been arrested after police found him carrying a wad of cash, a knife and heroin.

The 12-year-old was spotted by Basildon police officers and recognised as wanted for other offences, but he attempted to run off and evade arrest.

After a chase he was grabbed, arrested and searched.

Crime Scene Investigation officer and special constable Vikki Jones was one of the arresting officers. She tweeted: “Wanted male made off from local officers in Basildon.

“Short foot chase by myself and Special Constable Dan O’Connell meant the male was detained and arrested by myself.”

CSI Jones then tweeted a picture of the haul of items seized from the young boy during a search.

She added: “Found in possession of this lot. Pretty sure he wasn’t popping to the shops for lunch.... #onlycowardscarry.”

As well as the knife and a substantial amount of cash, he was also found to have two phones and approximately ten wraps containing suspected drugs.

SC O’Connell later confirmed that forensic examination had revealed the wraps to contain the class A drug heroin.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A 12-year-old boy from Basildon was arrested on Monday, January 8 in the Ashlyns area.

“He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, possession of a knife and breach of bail conditions.

“He was later released under investigation.”

Reach Every Generation founder Gavin McKenna, an anti-drugs campaigner who is hoping to launch a mentoring programme to deter children from falling into gang activity said children are misled to think it is a glamorous lifestyle.

He added: “The way they are groomed is very different to the reality when you’re going to crack dens and there’s needles on the floor or you’re having to stay up for days to earn your cash.”

His project Building Lives aims to deter at-risk children from being targeted and lured into drug-dealing.

Visit reacheverygeneration.co.uk for more info.