A CAR thieves' 'chop shop' in rural Thurroick has been closed down and three men have been arrested.

The Essex force road policing team uncovered a suspected vehicle chop shop just outside the village of East Tilbury after being alerted to suspicious activity in the Station Road area at about 10am on Thursday, 22 May.

Once on the scene, officers entered an industrial unit and discovered three men in the presence of a number of vehicles which are suspected to have been stolen and in various stages of deconstruction.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle, handling stolen goods and criminal damage.

They were questioned on suspicion of the offences throughout Thursday before being released on conditional bail until July while the nvestigation continues.

The vehicles found have been forensically recovered and will form part of the investigation.