WEAPONS and a haul of cannabis have been seized after a raid at a house in Westcliff.

The warrant was executed at a home in Beedell Avenue where police found a stash of weapons, which included a crossbow and a sword.

Officers executed the warrant at the address after receiving intelligence and tip-offs from within the Westcliff community.

Using a battering ram, officers broke down the door to gain entry to the property.

Inside the house, the officers recovered a crossbow, a small sword, a meat cleaver, a knife and a club.

They also found a stab vest, several jars of herbal cannabis and a cannabis grow operation.

One man, 25, was arrested at the scene, but police were unable to say what offences he was arrested for.

The weapons and drugs were seized.

The operation has been well-received by Southend residents.

Vanessa Powell, 59, who lives nearby, said: “It’s so refreshing to see this kind of result coming through.

“Thank god those weapons have been taken off the streets and are now safely in the police’s possession.

“They look terrifying and could have been used to cause some serious damage had they not been seized.”

Alan Thompson took to social media to congratulate the officers, adding: “This is a fantastic result.

“Keep up the good work and perhaps Southend could return to what it once was.

“Hopefully there will be more operations like this to target drug-dealing in our town.

“It has been getting worse and worse recently so this kind of result is great to see.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said it was Southend’s proactive police team which executed the warrant at an address in Beedell Avenue at about 8.30am on Friday, August 9.

He added: “We arrested a 25-year-old on suspicion of producing cannabis and he has been released under investigation. A number of weapons found at the address have been seized.”

Anyone with information about the property or drug-dealing in your area should contact Essex Police on 101.

Alternatively, you can contact independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers completely anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

You can also share information with Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online