FOUR men have been arrested after a heavy goods vehicle which was being driven suspiciously was brought to a stop using a stinger in Grays.

The HGV had been driven dangerously late on Friday night (27 March), including on the wrong side of the road, while being safely pursued by roads policing officers on the A127 and A13.

Items were also seen to be thrown out of the vehicle, which were later recovered. The vehicle was then driven into the Grays area, and the driver ran off.

But he was tracked by a dog unit on the ground and by air support to Woodside Close and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop.

While officers were with that man, with a second vehicle arrived in the area which offices believed to be connected to the incident. It contained three other men. When it was searched, officers found pairs of gloves and several balaclavas inside.

Police made arrests after the incident

Those three men were arrested on suspicion of going equipped and conspiracy to commit theft.

All four men remain in custody.

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Superintendent Ella Latham said: "This HGV was being driven really worryingly and the person behind the wheel appeared to have no regard for the safety of other people using the road last night and officers knew it had to be safely stopped.

"Thankfully, the stinger was used safely, which meant the driver had to stop. He tried to run away but a search by a police dog on the ground and with air support meant he was tracked easily."

Supt Lathan added: "When the second vehicle turned up, officers followed their suspicions and made a number of discoveries there which now form part of our overall investigation."