Essex Police have made 105 arrests during Operation Lockstream, including 29 over immigration offences. The two-week intensification ran between 21 September and 5 October, with officers using extra resources and shared intelligence to target organised immigration crime across the county. PC Paul Simmons, a road traffic officer, used powers to stop vehicles and check licences, insurance and personal details. Officers also looked for suspicious signs such as broken rear lights and dodgy registration plates. One stop led to a drugs find and immigration bail breach. The driver became nervous, and officers found he did not have the correct driving licence and the car was not insured. He was carrying 10 deal wraps of cocaine and a small bag of cannabis. A call to the Home Office confirmed the man had absconded from immigration bail and was “ready” to be deported from the UK. Essex Police said the operation stopped 428 vehicles and resulted in 105 arrests, with 29 involving immigration offences. Sergeant Dean Young pointed to Essex’s transport routes, saying the A12, A13 and A127 link three ports to London and the M25, creating “the perfect infrastructure for criminals”. On a wider scale, forces in England stopped more than 6,000 vehicles and made 452 arrests during the fortnight. The National Police Chiefs’ Council said 298 arrests were for immigration offences. The crackdown’s latest verified status is that arrests have been made and the operation is ongoing under increased patrol and intelligence activity.