A DRIVER who drove the wrong way down the A13 and drove at high speed through busy residential roads in Thurrock has escaped justice - for the moment.

But police say they are on the case and are hoping to track down the vehicle, believed to be a Ford Kuga, which at one point was being pursued by a number of police vehicles.

The incident happened around midday on Tuesday and was witnessed by a number of residents one who told Thurrock Nub News: "It was amazing no-one was hit. We were sat in a traffic queue near Sainsburys when all of a sudden this car came flying past, pursued by four of five police vehicles.

"The car was inches away from hitting other vehicles and missed me by a whisker."

Police have confirmed the incident and issued the following statement: "We attempted to stop a car in Burghley Road, Chafford Hundred, at around 11.10am on Tuesday 15 September.

"The car drove off at speed and then drove dangerously – briefly driving along the A13 in the wrong direction.

"Following concerns about the safety of other motorists, we discontinued our pursuit of the car.

"There were no reported collisions and we are making our enquiries to locate the vehicle and the driver."