POLICE officers arrested a man after receiving reports of a car being driven under the influence in Grays last evening (Saturday, 27 January).

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were called to Lodge Lane at about 6.30pm with information that the car – a black Volkswagen Polo – was being driven in the direction of Blackshots roundabout. Officers located the vehicle but the driver failed to stop and left the scene.

"At about 8pm, officers from the Thurrock Local Policing and Community Policing Teams located the car and its driver in Ward Avenue. The car was found to be on cloned number plates.

Police seized vehicles.

"The driver has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, failing to stop for police, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, careless driving and going equipped.

"He has been taken into custody. We are also investigating reports of another incident reportedly involving the man arrested and a second suspect in Lodge Lane.

"We would like to thank the members of the public that contacted us to support our search.

"If you have any information or dashcam footage that may help us with our enquiries, please contact us quoting incident number 971 of Saturday 27 January."