Rayleigh: Pursuit sees two arrests and drugs seized

Two arrests were made and a number of bags of suspected Class A drugs were seized after a pursuit on the A127.

Officers were on patrol in the Pitsea area on the evening of Wednesday 14 January as part of Operation Limit – targeting suspected drink and drug drivers across the county.

A black Audi A3 failed to stop for officers when directed to do so and a pursuit was authorised.

During the course of the pursuit, the suspect car reached speeds of up to 90mph.

A bag was seen to have been thrown out of a window. This was later recovered and found to contain suspected Class A drugs.

The pursuit came to a close when the Audi was involved in a single-vehicle collision on the A127 near Rayleigh.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a rucksack containing multiple bags of white powder – suspected to be Class A drugs – and an amount of cash.

Two women were arrested.

One, aged in her 40s, from Westcliff, remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of failing to stop when directed, dangerous driving, drug driving, possession of drugs and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

The other, aged in her 20s, from Southend, remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of possession of drugs and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Essex Police has released the results of December’s Operation Limit, which saw 511 drink and drug driving offences recorded across the county.

Head of Roads Policing Adam Pipe described drug driving as an “epidemic” and the biggest current threat to road safety, adding:

“The number of arrests is staggering and highlights a significant risk on our roads, something that the force will continue to focus on throughout the coming year.
“We’ll be using all the resources necessary to prioritise road safety for all and reduce the number of killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

The campaign, led by the Roads Policing Unit, resulted in 103 drink driving arrests in December, bringing the 2025 total to 1,008.

Drug driving arrests reached 307 for the month – the highest since January 2017 – contributing to an annual total of 1,874.

Help us reduce road collisions and casualties in Essex and make our roads even safer. Report instances of poor and dangerous driving through Safer Essex Roads Partnership's Extra Eyes initiative.

More than ever, irresponsible, dangerous and illegal road behaviour is being recorded by road users. Through Extra Eyes this footage can be sent to, and reviewed by, an investigator within Road Policing at Essex Police.

Find out how by visiting Safer Essex Roads Partnership website.