Epping: Stolen van recovered and arrest made just 30 minutes after incident

A stolen camper van was found and recovered within 30 minutes of the theft being reported thanks to the swift work of our officers.

We received a call shortly after 1.50pm on Friday 25 August reporting a camper van had been stolen from a driveway in Epping.

Acting quickly, the details of the vehicle were circulated to officers in the area and our colleagues with National Police Air Service authorised support via their helicopter.

The vehicle was traced to the M11 a little over ten minutes after we received the call reporting the theft.

Officers with our Roads Policing Unit intercepted the van and stopped the vehicle by 2.20pm.

A 19-year-old male, from Bedford, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

He has been released on bail while our enquiries continue.

Ch/Supt Jenny Barnett said:

“We know dealing with theft and returning stolen vehicles to their rightful owners is a priority the people of Essex want to see us tackling.
“This was a swift and thorough piece of work, carried out with our partners at NPAS and National Highways, to ensure the vehicle was quickly traced.
“It is an example of the good work going on every day to tackle vehicle crime.”

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