AT LEAST five men have been arrested in Colchester in a police crackdown on drugs.

The arrests on Saturday night followed a campaign known as Operation Lynx.

It involves officers and sniffer dogs carrying out checks for cocaine.

The aim is to keep towns and cities safe at night.

Police say people consuming both alcohol and cocaine are more likely to be involved in violent offences due to their reduced perceptions.

Nationwide research shows 60 per cent of people arrested for violent crime on nights out test positive for cocaine use.

Arrests last night included possession of cocaine and another included possession of cannabis, along with a knife.

The first arrests were reported around 8pm, with the others reported by midnight.