'Wrong way' motorway driver arrested

Essex Police said the vehicle started travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway of the M11 at Harlow

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after driving down the M11 the wrong way, forcing police to stop traffic.

Essex Police said it was alerted to the theft of a silver Land Rover in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday, which had been driven into Essex.

The force said the vehicle was being driven dangerously southbound on the northbound carriageway of the M11 at junction 7A near Harlow.

Ch Insp Alan Blakesley, of Essex Police, said: "This kind of reckless driving could have been lethal."

The man was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving under the influence of drink or drugs - and possession of a Class B drug.

Traffic on the motorway was temporarily stopped by officers.

The force, which was supported by the National Police Air Service helicopter, arrested the driver after he was seen leaving the vehicle.

An investigation has been launched and police are appealing to anyone who may have information related to the incident or dashcam footage.