A TEENAGER was among those arrested after an armed police vehicle stop uncovered drugs and a baseball bat.

The raid took place in Ferry Road, Hullbridge, after police were contacted about a suspicious vehicle in the area.

Armed officers responded and stopped the car in the street before arresting the occupants and conducting a search on Saturday.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We have arrested two men and a boy on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon after stopping a vehicle in Hullbridge.

“We received reports of suspicious vehicle in Ferry Road and arrived quickly before signalling it to stop.

“We then found a large amount of bagged cannabis, scales and a baseball bat inside.

“We arrested a 16-year-old boy and a man both who were released without charge while another man, 20, has been released under investigation.”

Residents of the small village are concerned activity usually associated with Southend seems to have spilled out to their rural area.

Alan Morrison, 56, of Greensward Lane, Hullbridge, said: “I was very surprised to hear about this because we don’t often get drug-related crime in this area.

“You hear about it all the time in Southend and I know there have been a few drug farms uncovered in Rayleigh recently which is a bit closer but I hope this isn’t a sign of future things to come.

“We don’t need that sort of thing here. At least the police have seized the drugs and taken them off the streets.”

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.

Alternatively, you can contact independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.