TWO 15-year-old boys were arrested after three males ran from police in a public park.

After the trio fled, officers found a discarded backpack containing a hammer and empty "deal bags" in Memorial Gardens, Crawley.

Following the incident at 3.15pm on Saturday, two 15-year-old boys from Crawley were arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. They have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

These arrests were among four made by officers in the area that day as part of a day of action.

Police made their first arrest after stopping a car with a defective tail light in Station Hill at 11.30am.

Officers speaking to the driver said they could smell cannabis and subsequently carried out a roadside drug test, which the driver failed.

A 30-year-old man from Crawley was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

A few hours later, shortly before 2pm, officers stopped and searched a vehicle on the M23 southbound near Handcross. They uncovered and seized six vacuum-packed bags of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of £20,000. The driver of the vehicle was arrested.

Silver Shele, 21, of Letchworth Street in London, has been charged with possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and remanded to appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court.

Following the day of action, police sergeant Elizabeth Reschwamm said: "We are taking robust action to help keep our communities safer.

"Carrying weapons is extremely dangerous and although some people may carry them to feel safer - it actually puts you at more risk of coming to harm.

"We will continue to address these issues through our days of targeted action and by engaging with the public to raise awareness.

"Anyone with information or concerns is asked to make the right call and report it to us online or by calling 101."