A CRIME ring dealing in stolen cars has been exposed by a recent police response – with the gang behind it appearing to use a Thurrock business park as a key link in its operation.

Five men and two teenage boys were arrested after police intervention at the Riverside Business Centre in Tilbury – a site owned by Thurrock Council and run by its business partner, NWES Property Services Limited.

The drama was played out on the evening of Thursday, 13 November when Essex Police officers recovered three stolen vehicles within 60 minutes of being notified of a stolen vehicle on the move in west Essex.

The operation began when officers were alerted to a sighting of a recently stolen Toyota Hilux shortly after 7pm.

Working closely with colleagues in Kent Police and supported by a police helicopter Essex's roads policing team quickly narrowed the search area to the business centre near the Port of Tilbury.

Upon gaining entry to the gated car park of the 2.8-acre site, officers discovered three stolen pick-ups in near-perfect condition. These included the moving stolen vehicle from Hertfordshire and two others taken in previous days from Kent and Sussex.

While securing the scene, officers noticed suspicious movement through roller shutters on one of the site units.

Acting swiftly, they entered the premises. Inside, four suspects were found hiding behind a forklift, alongside multiple sets of registration plates, keys and phones.

In total, seven people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal vehicles, theft of vehicles and handling stolen goods.

Superintendent Phil Stinger of Essex Police said: "This rapid and coordinated response highlights the commitment of officers to disrupt organised vehicle theft and protect communities."

The police statement added: "Five men aged 24, 27, 47, 49 and 61 and two teenage boys have been released on bail until mid-January 2026 while the investigation continues."

Earlier this week the Riverside Business, which earns Thurrock Council £185,000 a year, was the subject of a report and debate at the authority's cabinet after it was discovered no legal lease was in place between NWES and the council to run the highly profitable site.

After discussing the report, which highlighted Thurrock Council's relationship with NWES and sites in Grays which it also manages, it was agreed to put a new lease in place to 'regularise occupation' of the Tilbury site, while securing income and mitigating risk.

No mention was made at cabinet of the police operation that had uncovered covert activity on council land just days before.

Exact identification of the Riverside Business Centre was not included in a police media report about the site – which has since been removed from the Essex Police information portal. However, police did release a picture showing at least one of the stolen vehicles on the site.

Police, who initially described occupation of the premises as a 'chop shop', were keen to protect the legitimate businesses on the site, explaining the lack of confirmation by saying: "You will understand that we don't want to undo anyone's business as this isn't related to any of the businesses at the location."