Police in east Suffolk are hailing a multi-agency day of action in Lowestoft and Felixstowe a success after nine people were arrested and nine vehicles seized.

Police officers from response, Specialist Operations, Automatic Number Plate Recognition Intercept Team, Territorial Support Team and the Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit carried out the operation in Lowestoft and Felixstowe yesterday.

The intelligence led day of action was carried out as a part of a series of similar proactive policing operations that Suffolk police is conducting throughout the year aimed at disrupting criminal activity taking place in the county.

The intention of the day was to disrupt organised crime groups and remove unsafe vehicles from the county’s roads whilst enforcing and improving road safety.

Two warrants were executed at addresses in Lowestoft where drugs were seized and a further warrant was carried out at an address in Felixstowe, here a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug and possession with intent to supply a non-class A drug (cannabis).

An 18-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

Both have been bailed pending further enquiries and will be required to return to the Martlesham Police Investigation Centre on September 26.

A fixed multi-agency check point was set up within the grounds of Benjamin Britten High School in Lowestoft as a place for vehicles to be escorted to for further checks.

Here teams from the police, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Hidden Economy team, Trading Standards, Environment Agency and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) worked together with the aim of identifying vehicles and their owners which were committing offences.

Twenty five vehicles were escorted to the check site and only four vehicles were clear of any offences.

· Eight fixed penalty notices were issued for no insurance, dangerous condition, tyres, no MOT and no licence.

· Four persons were reported for summons for no insurance and no driving licence.

· Seven vehicles were seized for insurance and licence offences.

· One vehicle was seized for being in a dangerous condition and the vehicle was later reported as stolen.

· The HMRC Hidden Economy team spoke with 13 people and will need to carry out follow up enquiries in relation to unregistered businesses.

· The DWP had two prosecutions against people for working whilst claiming benefits and six people will require follow up enquiries.

In addition a Lexus car was seized and four people arrested. An 18-year-old man and 19-year-old man both from Colchester were both arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, they together with a 21-year old-man from Colchester who was arrested for the same offence and taking a motor vehicle without consent are all being held for questioning at the Gt Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

A 16-year-old boy from Gt Yarmouth was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, he has been bailed to return to the Gt Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre on October 29.

Coupled with these arrests, a 56-year-old woman from Lowestoft was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol; she has been bailed to return on October 29.

A 45-year-old man from Lowestoft was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (Methadone), he has been bailed to return on September 13 and a 27-year-old man from Lowestoft was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated offence and he has been bailed to return on September 25.

Speaking after the day of action, detection chief Inspector Tonya Antonis said: “We are delighted with the results from the day of action. These operations are carried out with an element of surprise and without pre-publicity so we can obtain the best possible evidence.

“We will always carry out a robust response to tackling drugs offences and the associated crimes that are often committed by those who deal in the drugs business.

“Proactive days such as these will continue to be carried out and we will work with our partners to ensure we have a co-ordinated response to tackling criminal activity not only to enforce but educate people where necessary to ensure Suffolk remains a safe place to live, work, travel and invest.”

If you have any information about criminal activity taking place where you live you are asked to call Suffolk police on 999 in an emergency and when a crime is taking place. Dial 101 in a non-emergency situation.