A teenager armed with a Taser and a 17 year-old attempted robber are two of the under 18s convicted as part of Essex Police's summer crackdown.

As concern about youth violence and safety mounts in the summer holiday months, 20 additional offices have been working in the Epping Forest district, mounting thrice weekly high visibility patrols in the area and dealing with an increase in reported offences.

Around 11.40pm last night (August 29) a 17 and 15 year-old boy were arrested in Chester Road, Loughton on suspicion of possession of a knife and going equipped.

They remain in custody for questioning.

Chief Inspector Lewis Basford, district commander for Brentwood and Epping, said: “We are taking steps to detect, deter and disruption criminal activity in our communities, in particular the Loughton and Buckhurst Hill areas.

“We have listened to people’s concerns about crime, particularly about knife crime and robberies, and we have increased high visibility patrols in the area using officers working longer shifts throughout the night time.

“We have had some recent success but still rely on people to report any suspicious behaviour or information to our teams. If you have information please call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Yesterday's arrests come six weeks after a 15-year-old boy from Loughton was arrested in Debden.

He later admitted possessing three Tasers at Chelmsford Youth Court on Friday, August 17 and was given a nine month referral order;

A 17-year-old boy from Newham was given a four month curfew, 100 hours unpaid work, 91 days activity requirement and rehabilitation under supervision and surveillance after he admitted handling stolen goods and attempted robbery on Monday, August 20.

His guilty plea was in connection with an incident in Buckhurst Hill on Wednesday, June 20.

A 16-year-old from Ilford was arrested in Loughton on Monday, July 16, and has been charged with robbery.

He is due to stand trial at Chelmsford Youth Court on Tuesday, November 13.