SEVEN people were arrested and 30 vehicles seized during a crack down n operation at Bluewater.

Using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Kent and Essex police teamed up to check more than 50,000 vehicles driving in and out of the Greenhithe shopping centre to find any that were linked to crime.

A total of 220 were stopped and the drivers and passengers questioned.

Three of those arrested failed to stop and were found to be in possession of cannabis, one was also found to be disqualified and driving without insurance.

Another man gave false details but was soon identified and found to be disqualified and wanted for not paying fines and skipping court.

Other wanted people caught using the scanner were a man wanted for stealing a sat nav and a man that repeatedly stole petrol.

His vehicle had been specially modified so that it had extra fuel tanks and false licence plates.

Police also recovered about £4,400 in unpaid fines.

Head of the Operation, Chief Inspector Richard Watson, said: 'It was a great success and the joint working with Essex under the Kent Essex Collaboration meant that Kent Police were able to conduct a larger operation and at more significant locations than ever before.”