THREE people were arrested when police officers conducted a road check on the Eurolink Estate in Sittingbourne.

Members of the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team, joined by colleagues from Sheppey, carried out the operation on Symmonds Drive, using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), after reports of scrap metal being stolen in the area.

One man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis after a large bag of herbal cannabis was allegedly found in the back of the white van he was driving.

The 32-year-old, from Dover, has been bailed to Sittingbourne Police Station until Wednesday, January 24, pending further enquiries.

Two other men were arrested for numerous offences after they reportedly drove past the police road check without stopping.

The Iveco lorry they were driving was stopped and searched by police who reportedly found three bags of white powder, believed to be cocaine, along with a hunting knife.

On the back of the lorry were a number of aluminium sheets, allegedly stolen from the Maidstone area.

A 33-year-old man, from Tunbridge Wells, was arrested under suspicion of driving while disqualified, possession of class-A drugs, possession of an offensive weapon and theft.

A 35-year-old man, from Rochester, was arrested under suspicion of possession of class-A drugs, possession of an offensive weapon and theft.

Both men were bailed to Sittingbourne Police Station until Friday, February 9, pending further enquiries.

An Iveco truck was also seized by police as it was found to be being driven without insurance.

Sgt Neil Kimber, who worked with the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team on the initiative, said: "I hope that regular road checks such as this one will reassure local people that we make every effort to make our roads safe.

“ANPR is an extremely useful and effective tool in the fight against crime."