Two people have been charged with aggravated burglaries carried in Grays after being apprehended in the early hours of the morning.

Residents on Long Lane, near the Nutberry playing fields, were woken by the presence of a number of police vehicles as a vehicle containing the men was stopped. Armed officers were among those deployed.

They had been alerted after receiving reports of two aggravated burglaries about 2.45 on Thursday 17 August. The men were arrested at 3.10pm.

Terrell Phillips-John, 24, of Whitehorse Road in Croydon, and a 17-year-old have now been charged with aggravated burglary with intent. Both are due to appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court today (Friday, 18 August).

Chief Inspector Anthony Atkin, District Commander for Thurrock, said: "This was made possible thanks to a co-ordinated response from officers at the scene, quick work from Grays CID to secure these charges, and vital information provided by our residents.

We are still appealing for more information about potential further suspects in this incident, so if you have any CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage in particular, please get in touch."

If you have any information then contact us quoting incident 126 of Thursday 17 August.

"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.