Police arrested four people and seized four cars during roads operation on the A130

Officers from the casualty reduction unit and the operational support group worked with colleagues from Kent Police to identify potential offenders using the road between Chelmsford and Basildon.

The officers used automatic number plate recognition technology to check cars during the day on Thursday, May 12.

Three women were arrested at around 1.50pm on suspicion of theft after suspected stolen property was found in a car.

The women, a 30-year-old from Rainham, a 19-year-old rom Brentwood and a 29-year-old from Warley, have all been released on bail pending further investigation until June 5, 2016.

A 28-year-old man from Rayleigh was arrested on suspicion of possession of class B or C drugs. He received a caution for cannabis possession.

During the operation, four vehicles were seized because their drivers didn’t have appropriate insurance and 26 were found not have a valid MOT.

Fifteen drivers were found to not be wearing a seatbelt and nine were stopped for using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

Police reported three drivers for careless driving and four for speeding.

Three drivers were issued notices for defective lights, failing to display a registration plate and displaying an illegal registration plate.

The notices give the drivers 14 days to resolve the problem or face prosecution, point on their licence and/or a fine.

Three vehicles were also found to be carrying loads over the legal weight limit.

Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager, said: "The operation ran between 7am and 7pm and saw in the region of 40,000 reads by two ANPR vans.

"The A130 is a key route into and out of the county town and for links to the A12.

"Criminals use the roads to go about their business and we will continue to take robust action against them.”