A HARLOW man has been arrested after a van was boxed in and safely stopped after failing to pull over for officers.

The incident happened just before midnight last night, Tuesday 14 October, when the vehicle failed to stop in Traps Hill, Loughton.

A pursuit was then authorised through roads in Loughton and into Abridge.

Officers from a number of teams in the Epping area then worked together to ensure specially trained officers could follow the van safely whilst other units were able to get ahead of it to lay stinger devices on its route.

The vehicle came to a safe stop in Abridge Road after hitting the stinger and subsequently being boxed in.

A 24-year-old man from Harlow was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and assaulting an emergency worker.

He remains in custody.

Adam Pipe, head of our roads policing unit, said: “Once again, we have seen a driver willing to take significant risks on Essex roads – though they were safely stopped by incredibly skilled officers.

“Thankfully, road and pedestrian traffic was very light at the time, but the risks taken in this case highlight the behaviour we continue to see on our roads.

“All our teams are acutely aware than 54 people have lost their lives on our roads in 2025 and we’re working incredibly hard to stem this rise and my plea to every road user is to be responsible when you’re behind the wheel.

“54 families have lost loved ones this year – no one wishes to see this number rise.”