Essex Police car theft raids across south Essex today

Policing teams from across the Essex Police force bust down doors at addresses across south Essex, and one in east London, during seven raids.

As a result of these warrants, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Ashingdon, a 31-year-old man was arrested in Rochford, three men – aged 18, 21 and 22 – were arrested in Hockley and an 18-year man was arrested in Southend.

A stolen car recovered by police (Image: Essex Police)

A 69-year-old man from east London was also arrested in Dagenham.

All seven have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicles between February and July, and they remain in police custody for questioning.

Four stolen vehicles were recovered by the force's specialist stolen vehicle intelligence unit.

A stolen motorbike seized (Image: Essex Police)

Sergeant Adam Jarvis, said: “Our work to tackle the issue of stolen vehicles, and in particular the organised aspect of this crime, has resulted in seven arrests today.

“As vehicle crime is rightly a force priority, we will do all we can to identify those involved in organised crime, whose activities cause harm to our communities and affect the day-to-day activities of our residents and our businesses’ livelihood.

“We’ll continue to be intelligence-led and work with partners to tackle cross-border offenders so there is nowhere for perpetrators to hide.

“This crime cannot and will not be tolerated.”

More than £5million worth of stolen cars have been seized, 16 chop shops uncovered and eight shipping containers full of stolen vehicle parts intercepted so far this year thanks to the force's specialist team targeting car thefts.