A sniffer dog was deployed on trains between Colchester and Clacton this week in a joint police operation targeting gangs using the railway network to ship drugs into the area.

Essex Police, the British Transport Police and rail operator Abellio Greater Anglia conducted high visibility patrols on Monday as part of a clampdown on the movement of class A drugs from London.

The aim was to identify drug runners and get information to help tackle issues around gang-related drug dealing and violent crime.

Officers boarded seven trains and checked carriages with sniffer dog Orla, and carried out stop searches where deemed appropriate. No drugs were found.

Led by Essex Police, the operation was thought up by Special Inspector Mark Fenton and involved officers from Tendring and Colchester neighbourhood policing teams.

Acting Chief Insp Russ Cole, Tendring district commander, said: “We will be repeating these operations in the future as part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt gangs attempting to ply their trade in north Essex.

“They exploit vulnerable, often young, people and persuade them to come here to sell drugs on their behalf by offering them money and other incentives.

“We remain committed to being on the front foot around gang activity.”