A SPECIAL police team are fighting back against gangrelated drug and knife crime in north Essex.

Cops say armed dealers are travelling from London to areas including Clacton and Colchester.

They are believed to be responsible for a number of stabbings in the towns.

Chief Supt Carl O’Malley has launched Operation Saturn in a bid to disrupt gang land activities.

Earlier this month a suspected crackhouse was raided and shut down in Beach Road, Clacton, as part of Operation Saturn.

Other warrants have also been carried out and dozens of people arrested.

So far 28 people have been arrested and more than 800 wraps of suspected class A drugs have been seized.

Det Chief Insp John Ross said: “We have definitely made a dent in the supply of drugs in north Essex.

“These gangs are finding it harder to operate in our towns and they know they are not welcome."

Anyone with information about drug dealing or gangs in north Essex can contact the team at Braintree police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.