MORE than 50 vehicles were stopped in Harwich at the weekend as police launched a clampdown on rogue drivers.

Both Essex and Suffolk police officers carried out vehicles checks during the operation, which sparked one cross-border pursuit. 

Harwich and Colchester community policing teams joined officers from Essex Police's roads policing unit and the Suffolk force to conduct mobile patrols on Sunday. 

Harwich officers stopped a total of 58 vehicles along Wick Lane, including one vehicle which failed to stop for officers, leading to a cross-border pursuit.

The driver was later stopped and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and having two outstanding court warrants.

Advice - Ardleigh farmers were advised to how to prevent theft, after the crime has risen in the past yearAdvice - Ardleigh farmers were advised to how to prevent theft, after the crime has risen in the past year (Image: Essex Police) Officers also spoke with farmers in Ardleigh to offer crime prevention advice about how to protect their vehicles and property from theft.

This follows the publication of Home Office figures which show that 48,507 thefts were recorded by Essex Police in the year to June – up three per cent from 46,935 the year before.

However, the number of overall thefts was less than the 55,988 offences recorded in 2018-19, before the pandemic.

Officers will also continue to carry out patrols and engage with residents across rural locations in Tendring.