AROUND 8pm on Friday December 6th, police attempted to stop a Silver Ford Mondeo on the A414 which had previously been seen acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the theft of a catalytic convertor from a vehicle in Witham earlier the same day.

The vehicle failed to stop and was initially lost, at which point an area search commenced – which included the use of the police helicopter.

After a further sighting, officers specially trained in the management of pursuits re-engaged with the Mondeo and again it failed to stop.

The vehicle turned off along Southern Way, in Harlow, where, at 9.15pm, it was in collision with a Kia Carens car and overturned, ending up on its roof. Two men made off from the vehicle and police began a foot search assisted again by the police helicopter and with help from members of the public but the two suspects were not found.

None of the occupants of the other car involved in the collision required hospital treatment. The Mondeo has been recovered for forensic analysis and officers are confident the occupants will be identified.

Chief Inspector Justin Smith said: “Over the past month we have seen a rise in vehicle crime in Harlow with several catalytic convertors being stolen, often from Mercedes Sprinter vans so I am glad we now have a lead as to who may have been responsible. I would also like to thank the members of the public that tried to help officers find the suspects and remind anyone that sees anyone acting suspiciously to ring us without delay so we can try and catch these thieves.”

Police enquiries are continuing and anyone with information about the men is asked to call Harlow Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A separate investigation will also be carried out into the circumstances of the collision.