POLICE have announced the arrest of three teenagers in connection with an incident that initially happened on Friday (16 June).

An aggravated burglary was reported at an address in Quebec Road in Tilbury which had had been broken into shortly after 4.50am and a car was stolen.

Officers carried out enquiries and three teenagers were later arrested later that day when the stolen vehicle activated an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera and officers from the Essex Police Operational Support Group carried out a search for it.

Following a significant search they located the vehicle in Wallace Road in Grays and which point two of the people inside got out and made off.

The vehicle then also left the scene but a pursuit was carried out and brought to a stop following tactical contact.

A 17 year-old boy from Grays was arrested in Wallace Road on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle, aggravated burglary, possession of a knife (reported locally by witnesses as a machete), and possession of class B or C drugs.

A 15 year-old boy from Dagenham and a 16 year-old boy from Barking were arrested in Warren Lane, Grays, on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and aggravated burglary.

All three have since been released on bail until 14 September.

A police statement added: "If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote the crime reference number 42/107106/23.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."