TWO teenagers were arrested on suspicion of burglary and the theft of a motor vehicle within 40 minutes of police being called to an incident in Grays in the early hours of Thursday (8 August) morning.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were called to reports of a burglary in Whitehall Road at about 2.20am.

"Two suspects had forced entry into a car and were detected on the A13 after we arrived at the address in just six minutes.

"Colleagues in the Metropolitan Police located the car and were joined by Essex Police traffic officers. Both forces followed it and brought the car to a stop in Cannon Street in central London.

"The two 16-year-old boys in the car were arrested – one on suspicion of burglary, theft of motor vehicle, criminal damage, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence; the other on suspicion of burglary and theft of motor vehicle.

"The Metropolitan Police and Essex Police vehicles were damaged during the incident. No officers were injured.

"Both remain in custody."

PC Alice Hann said: "This incident shows the lengths we will go to to protect our communities and their property.

"I'd also like thank our colleagues in the Met for their help in stopping these two suspects."