Twenty people were arrested and 10 cars were seized during a two-day operation to identify and stop drivers of vehicles suspected of being involved in crime.

Operation Keats ran on Thursday and Friday and saw officers from Essex and Kent Police use automatic number plate recognition technology to detect drivers committing crimes and motoring crimes.

Suspect vehicles were intercepted by marked and unmarked motorbikes and patrol cars and taken to stop-check sites where further investigations could be carried out.

The people arrested were: Robert Flint, 24, of Castle Walk, Canvey arrested on suspicion of possession of class B drugs. He was later charged and bailed to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on November 16.

A 20-year-old man from Rochford wanted by Hertfordshire Police in connection with an assault.

Lindsey Hall, 37, of Swan Street, Sudbury arrested on suspicion of drink driving. She was late charged and bailed to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on November 17.

A 17-year-old boy from Stanford-le-Hope on suspicion of driving while disqualified. He was charged and bailed to appear at Basildon Magistrates Court on November 25.

Four men from Ilford and London on suspicion of theft. Vasile Petre, 33, from Romford Road, London was charged with theft and bailed to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on November 16. The other men, aged 35, 43 and 44 were released from custody with no further action to be taken against them.

Four men arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. A 22-year-old man from Tilbury, a 22-year-old man of no fixed address, a 26-year-old man from Tilbury and a 25-year-old man from Tilbury, have been released on bail pending further investigation until December 16, 2015.

Two men arrested on suspicion of burglary. A 28-year-old man from Barking has been released on bail pending further investigation until January 25, 2016 and a 27-year-old man of no fixed address was released from custody with no further action to be taken against him.

A 27-year-old man from Basildon wanted in connection with an assault offence. He has been released on bail pending further investigation until November 16, 2015.

Manuel Jasper, 39, of Clenshaw Path, Basildon arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He was later charged and bailed to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on November 13, 2015.

Three men and a teenage girl arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and possession of class B drugs. A 20-year-old man from Grays was given a caution and Carl Hawthorn, 21, of Hathaway Road, Grays was charged with both offences and bailed to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on December 3, 2015. No further action was taken against a 23-year-old man from Grays and a 17-year-old girl from Basildon.

A number of driving offences were also detected. Four cannabis warnings were issued and 33 vehicles were found to be on the road without a valid MOT.

Twelve drivers were found not to have insurance and were ten vehicles were seized because the driver didn’t have any insurance or had failed to drive in accordance with the terms of their licence.