THREE people were arrested and drugs and weapons were seized when a car was searched by police.

Officers from the Essex Police Southend Proactive Team stopped the vehicle after receiving intelligence.

The officers arrested three people for various drug offences, and possession of a bladed article.

The team also recovered more than 30 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, cannabis a locking knife and a legal air pistol.

The team took to Facebook to share the results after the seizure after the operation.

Residents in the town praised the work of the officers following the incident.

Betty Turpin, 60, of Sutton Road, Southend said: “This is such good news because it means more drugs have been taken off the street.

“We need to be congratulating our officers for their great work on this incident.”

She added: “I think the police get too much criticism so it’s very important to praise them.

“I know there is a drug issue across the area so it’s good to hear police are on top of this.”

Ray Potter, 70, of Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, said: “By taking more drugs and the weapons off our streets, it can save lives.

“I am shocked and saddened to hear of this incident and think it shows a sign of the times.

“But it’s work in the right direction and sends a strong message that we don’t want this sort of thing in our town.”

It comes almost two weeks after a major drugs operation across the county which yielded dozens of arrests.