Police have arrested 10 people after drug raids at three homes.

Officers carried out searches at addresses in York Road, Valkyrie Road, and in Eagle Way, Shoeburyness.

The team seized suspected heroin and cocaine and also found a cannabis cultivation.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and three people were arrested in connection with other alleged offences of breaching a court order, failing to appear at court and assault.

Six other people were arrested for various offences during stop checks elsewhere in the Southend area. These included people detained under court warrants.

And officers carrying out patrols arrested two men after a teenage boy was robbed in Benfleet.

Superintendent Bonnie Moore said: “Today’s warrants are just part of our ongoing action against those involved in selling drugs in our communities.

“Tackling violence and protecting vulnerable people are our highest priorities and we will continue to do everything we can to keep people safe from harm.

“Those involved in supplying and dealing drugs are part of a ruthless chain where vulnerable people are exploited and live in fear of violence.

“We continue to do take action against those who want to cause harm in our communities and we ask anyone who is concerned about such crime in their area to please tell us.

“Your information is vital to help us identify and target offenders.

“I also ask anyone who is worried about someone they fear is being exploited by criminals to also please let us know so we can make sure they are protected and supported.”

The warrants and stop checks were carried out under Operation Sceptre, our work to tackle serious violent crime, as part of our day to day work to keep people safe.

At York Road, a 46-year-old man from Southend was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in supplying a controlled drug and released under investigation.

A 44-year-old woman from Southend was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of class A drugs. She was released under investigation.

A 19-year-old man from Shoeburyness was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and released under investigation.

At the Valkyrie Road address, a 52-year-old man from Southend was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and given a conditional caution.

A 49-year-old man of no fixed address was detained under a court warrant for failing to appear at court and a 39-year-old woman from Rayleigh was detained for breaching a court order. Both will appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court today, Tuesday 21 January.

A 41-year-old man from Southend was arrested on suspicion of assault and later released without charge.

Six people were also arrested as a result of stop checks in Westcliff, Southend, Shoeburyness and Leigh-on-Sea.

A 33-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested in London Road, Westcliff, for failing to appear at court and will appear at court today.

A car was stopped in Danescroft Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, and a knife and suspected stolen items were found. A 31-year-old man from Shoeburyness was charged with driving while disqualified and a 46-year-old man from Leigh-on-Sea was charged with theft.

A 43-year-old man from Shoeburyness was arrested in Constable Way, Shoeburyness, and charged with criminal damage.

A 37-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, under a court warrant and will appear at court today.

A 48-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested in Southchurch Road, Southend, for failing to appear at court and will appear at court today.

Officers stopped a Ford Fiesta near the Dartford River crossing and arrested two men in connection with the robbery of a 17-year-old boy at an address in Kiln Road, Benfleet at around 10.20pm on Monday 20 January.

A number of pairs of earphones were stolen.

The men, aged 23 and 31 from London, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and are currently in custody.