A 23-year-old man was arrested after �1700 from the proceeds of crime was uncovered during a stop and search.

The cash was recovered hidden in the handbrake covering of a black vauxhall astra during the operation in London Road, Romford recently.

The operation, saw officers from Harold Wood Safer Neighbourhood team using automatic number plate recognition stop the cars.

Sergeant Liza Bacon of Harold Wood Safer Neighbourhoods Team said “This was a great result and really showed the value of the technology we use. Although the ANPR provides a reason to stop the vehicle my officers were suspicious of the driver once they begun speaking to him. The cash was very well hidden and the officers did well to find it. We will continue to use ANPR as a tactic to reduce crime in Havering”.