Police made 20 arrests during a two night joint operation.

Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police Service arrested 20 people during two nights of a proactive operation.

The operation targeted suspected offenders using the roads in Essex and east London on 17 and 18 March.

The arrests included five men arrested on suspicion of robbery after officers stopped a vehicle in Margaretting.

Eight people arrested as part of a wide-scale investigation into burglaries in the north of Essex.

Four people arrested on suspicion of theft of a vehicle and possession with intent to supply Class A drug after stolen vehicles were traced to a layby on the A12 near Brentwood and South Woodham Ferrers.

And four people were arrested after officers stopped a car on the M25 sliproad a the Brook Street roundabout.

Chief Inspector Richard Melton said: “These was an example of the regular excellent collaborative work we carry out with bordering forces on a regular occasion.

“Together Essex Police and the Met pooled resources from a range of different teams across the two forces to affect a significant number of arrests in relation to a variety of offences.

“We know that criminals and criminal groups don’t recognise county or force borders and will freely travel across counties to carry out their illegal activities.

“That’s why operations and co-operation like this is so important to keeping our communities safe.

“Our priorities haven’t changed and we remain committed to keeping people safe and catching criminals. There is no doubt that Essex and London are safer places because of this fantastic work.”