Thousands of suspected terrorists have been searched by police in Essex, it has been revealed.

Figures show officers searched more than 3,000 people under new anti-terrorism powers in just one year.

The force, which encompasses Stansted Airport and Harwich port, comes third only to the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police for taking advantage of the legislation.

A total of 35,742 people across the UK were searched by officers using the anti-terror powers from 2004-05.

Of that, Essex officers searched 3,741 people.

The Met searched 15,621 people and the City of London searched 6,506 people.

Essex Police chiefs say the trend is down to the monitoring busy Stansted Airport.