Five people have been arrested and eight vehicles seized during a day of action held in east Suffolk.

Police officers from response, Specialist Operations, Automatic Number Plate Recognition Intercept Team, Territorial Support Team, Dog unit, Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit and other proactive teams carried out the operation in the Lowestoft, Halesworth and Leiston and Felixstowe areas yesterday.

The intelligence led day of action is a continuation of a series of proactive operations that Suffolk police is carrying out throughout the year aimed at disrupting criminal activity taking place in the county. The intentions of the day are to: disrupt organised crime groups, raise public awareness of crime prevention, in particular in relation to rural crime. Removing unsafe vehicles from the road while enforcing and improving road safety compliance was also a target.

In Lowestoft, Kyle Hewes from Edgerton Road, in the town, was arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences. The 21-year-old was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled class B drug (cannabis and ketamine). He will be appearing before Lowestoft Magistrates’ Court on August 19.

A 26-year-old man from Lowestoft was arrested on suspicion of theft from shop; he has been bailed and will return to the Gt Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre on August 14.

Two men aged 31 and 33, and both from Peterborough, were arrested on suspicion of theft from shop. A 25-year-old woman also from Peterborough was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug, possession of a class B drug, conspiracy to commit theft and going equipped.

All three are currently being held in custody at the Gt Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Two vehicles were also seized for having no insurance.

In Felixstowe the multi-agency operation saw teams from the police, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) hidden economy team, Trading Standards and Environment Agency set up a check point in Grove Road.

Almost 40 vehicles were escorted to the site with only eight found to be clear of any offences.

HMRC has seven follow up enquiries around tax evasion; Trading Standards has five follow up enquiries around rogue traders and the council. The Environment Agency advised four persons for waste carrier offences.

Speaking after the day of action, detective chief inspector Mike Bacon said: “These proactive days of action are a fantastic example of multi-agency working where partner agencies come together with the aim of enforcement and education.

“It is very disappointing that out of the 38 vehicles which were escorted to the check site in Felixstowe that only eight were found not to have offences.

“We will continue to carry out these days of action to ensure criminal activity is disrupted within the county, to ensure that Suffolk remains a safe place to live, work, travel and invest.”