TWELVE people were arrested and more than 40 vehicles taken off the roads during a police blitz in Thurrock.

Officers carried out Operation Battle to clampdown on motoring offences and travelling criminals.

Stop checks and number plate recognition cameras made sure drivers were abiding by the law during the operation, on roads around the Thurrock Moto services and the Dartford river crossing.

Hogg Lane, the Orsett Cock roundabout, Tilbury docks and the A1306 in South Ockendon, were also targeted.

As a result, a dozen people were arrested for offences ranging from theft and burglary, to being disqualified from driving.

Some 40 vehicles were seized after drivers were found to have no driving licence or no insurance.

A total of 30 fines were dished out for traffic offences, while nine vehicles were searched for drugs.

Thurrock district commander, Chief Insp Paul Moor, said the operation had been such a success, it would be running again soon. He added: “Building on the successes of Operation Battle, we are going to continue running more of these operations. “They provide community reassurance, while at the same time significantly impacting on those wishing to commit crime in Thurrock.”