THANKS to Roads Policing officers’, four men have been arrested within an hour of a burglary and theft of a van, in two separate incidents.

As part of routine patrols on Tuesday 17 September, Roads Policing officers responded to a recent report of the theft of a van in Nazeing after our Force Control Room circulated the vehicle details via police radio.

The van was spotted on the move and within 45 minutes the van was located unattended in Ingatestone. A 66-year-old man nearby was arrested on suspicion of theft of vehicle.

Later the same day, they received a 999-call reporting a residential burglary in progress in Billericay. The victim reported the involvement of a silver car and, again, after the registration was circulated to patrolling officers, and with the assistance of the Dog Unit, three men were stopped in the car in the Chigwell area and arrested on suspicion of burglary – just 45 minutes after the call. They currently remain in custody.

Mr Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “Each day Roads Policing Unit officers routinely patrol the county’s roads to prevent and detect crime, with burglary and vehicle theft being priorities.

“By working with teams from across the force, we deploy to try to locate vehicles and perpetrators who use vehicles to assist in committing crimes.

“It’s a fantastic response meaning four people were arrested within a short space of time after both incidents, thanks to officer’s keen observation or the localities and dedication to keeping our communities safe, and assisting and safeguarding victims of crime.”

The 66-year-old man of no fixed abode has been released on bail until mid-October whilst our enquiries continue.