FIVE people were arrested, homes were raided and motorists checked as Braintree police signalled a fresh fightback against crime.

Operation Snag was launched on Tuesday with arrests for burglary, GBH, bail breaches, domestic violence and voyeurism.

One aim of the operation was to reassure residents that the force remains determined in the fight against crime following a year of high-profile police station closures and PCSO redundancies.

Insp Shaun Kane, who led the operation, said: “From my point of view, we are taking a firm hands on approach to criminal activity and are proactively hunting down outstanding suspects and offenders trying to avoid police detention.

“Today’s success comes down to locating a number of criminals who had been on outstanding warrants for a number of weeks. This kind of op - eration goes a long way to reassuring the public that we are proactively working 24/7 to bring these individuals to justice. Five arrests in the first three hours of this operation show our dynamic approach and team work.”

The Gazette joined officers on the hunt for a Halstead man on suspicion of voyeurism.

Police were told by a female occupant he was rarely there. When a neighbour said they often heard a male voice, the police had reasonable grounds for suspicion and went in.

The man was found hiding under a duvet, and the woman was arrested for obstructing constables.

A Halstead man was also arrested for domestic violence and there were 12 traffic prosecutions.

On a visit to a home in Mountbatten, Braintree, a teenager was arrested and bailed on the spot on suspicion of failing to attend court.

The boy and his father insisted they had attended court last week.

Although focused on outstanding warrants, an arrest was made at Sandiacres Caravan site in Cressing.

Police unsuccessfully searched for a suspect, but made one arrest for burglary and GBH after identifying another suspect.