Stolen vehicle recovered on A12 and six arrests made

Officers from our operational support group (OSG) recovered a stolen vehicle which was travelling on the A12 last night.

The vehicle, a white Ford Transit van, was seen by an OSG unit shortly before 8.30pm last night.

When the units were placed behind the van, at Three Mile Hill travelling towards Chelmsford, the vehicle did not stop and made off, while also damaging one police car.

However, the vehicle was eventually stopped, and the driver was arrested after a short chase.

The van has now been confirmed as stolen from Chigwell.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, criminal damage, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of a Class B drug and a motoring offence.

The vehicle has also been seized.

OSG units also made six arrests of suspected high harm offenders yesterday. The suspected offences relate to burglary, domestic violence, handling stolen goods, sexual and violent offences and racially aggravated malicious communications.

Chief Inspector Darren Deex, who leads OSG said:

“The team has a hugely varied workload and the work carried out yesterday is a testament to that.
“We focus on offenders we believe causing the highest harm in our communities and we work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to do that.
“Our priority is to keep the people of Essex safe.”