TEN arrests were made on Canvey after police increased visibility and powers around stop and search in response to five incidents involving knives in two months.

Police used the powers to search 132 people for weapons and prevent serious crime on Canvey from 11am on Wednesday until 11am on Friday.

In total, five men aged between 21 and 35 were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

They are from Canvey, Benfleet, Basildon and Victoria Docks in London.

Four of the men have been released under investigation and one has been released without charge.

Police also arrested three men aged 19, 20 and 21, from Basildon, on suspicion of theft of a vehicle after a car failed to stop. They remain in custody for questioning.

Another man was arrested for various offences and he is due in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.

David Dent, 45, of Park Avenue, Canvey, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, common assault and theft.

Another man was arrested on suspicion of breach of bail conditions.

Chief Inspector David Miles, District Commander for Castle Point and Rochford, said: “We carried out 132 stop and searches with 10 people brought into custody for questioning.

“The majority of these people continue to remain under investigation, with one man in court tomorrow.We are continuing to patrol Canvey and all areas in the district with the aim of detecting and disrupting crime and disorder and we ask anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact us so we can build on intelligence and bring those who look to commit crime in Canvey to custody.”