A POLICE clampdown on anti-social behaviour has seen two men arrested and a flat searched for drugs.

Under operation Newhaven a team of 12 officers and six PCSOs were sent to the Loughton Way area of Buckhurst Hill where they carried out patrols and executed a warrant at an address in a block of flats.

The officer in charge, Sergeant Paul Christian, said: “This has been gained on intelligence we've received from various people in the local community, and it's quite a high priority for the Neighbourhood Action Panels- drugs and anti-social behaviour.

“It's something which has been brought up at our Neighbourhood Action Panel that groups of children have been gathering in the streets and causing a nuisance, and there is drugs use going on. “It's something we need to address, obviously, and we will bring any perpetrators to justice.”

Despite a thorough search, based on intelligence of cannabis use, no drugs were found at the address.

Mr Christian said: “Unfortunately on this occasion it's been a negative. However, we will be looking at our intelligence and seeing if there's anywhere else we can look to execute warrants.”

Neighbours at the flat said it had a known drug problem stemming from several occupants.

One said: “I'm used to it now. I ask them not to smoke it out the back, although I must say they haven't for a while. You see the cars pulling up and the exchanging of money. There's a lot going on.

“I think all young men smoke that stuff. I've seen people walking up Loughton high street and you can smell it.”

During the operation police arrested two men in Danbury Road who were known to them in relation to criminal offences.

Officers patrolled the area around the shops in Loughton Way on foot and by bike for several hours during the afternoon.

Mr Christian said: “Hopefully what we've done today is deter any anti-social behaviour in the area. The local youth know we're not going to tolerate it and we will be dealing with it positively as and when it occurs.”