SEVEN warrants were executed and four arrests made as part of a pro-active policing operation held across the Babergh district yesterday.

Three teams of officers executed warrants, carried out truancy patrols, conducted visits to firearms license holders and spent time offering reassurance and crime reduction advice.

The aim of the operation was to target and prosecute individuals committing crime in the area, specifically targeting those responsible for burglary, drug offences and fraud as well as provide reassurance to residents.

Officers were joined in the day of action by the constabulary’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) intercept team, which carried out patrols in targeted areas and stopped and checked 32 vehicles. A £540 fine was issued for the use of red diesel.

During the operation more than 60 firearms licence holders were visited and offered advice. Crime reduction visits were made to people in areas of recent burglaries and a number of security devices were provided free of charge.

In the evening trading standards joined officers on a test purchasing operation. Seven premises were visited, six of which refused the sale to children, however one premises did sell alcohol to a 16-year-old and was given an £80 fine. All licensed premise will be subject to further monitoring.

The four arrests included a 41-year-old woman from Hadleigh who was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. She was bailed until March 12.

A 21-year-old man of Souther Cross, Chelmsford was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He was charged and is due before magistrates on February 14.

A 39-year-old man of Suffolk Square, Sudbury was arrested on suspicion of abstracting electricity. He has since been charged and will appear at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court today.

A 36-year-old man from Thetford, who was stopped by the ANPR intercept team, was found to be wanted on a European arrest warrant and was consequently arrested. He was due to appear to court this morning.

A 63-year-old man from Sudbury was also given a warning by police for possession of cannabis.

Babergh Inspector Paul Crick said: “This operation has produced some pleasing results, which sends out a clear message to anyone who is thinking of committing an offence not just in Babergh but throughout the county.

“While we were aiming to target people responsible for crime in the area we also wanted to give reassurance to residents and make them feel safer. Crime may have fallen in the district and the county, but this operation shows that we are not complacent and we will continue to target those offending.”