Passenger on garden chair found in cloned van

The cloned van was stopped on the A12 north of Witham in Essex

Police officers said they were "stunned" to find a passenger sat in a garden chair after pulling over a cloned van.

Eight passengers were also found crammed into the rear of the van and none were wearing seatbelts, Essex Police said.

The force's roads policing unit said it pulled the vehicle over on the A12 north of Witham during a routine patrol on the evening of 10 October.

"This wasn't just illegal, it was life-threatening," said PC Nathan Bright.

"A flimsy garden chair, not designed for travel, offers zero protection. And no seatbelts means every journey is a gamble."

Cloning involves copying the details - including the number plate - of legally registered vehicles, often to avoid fines or prosecution.

Police said the motorist was driving outside the terms of his licence and had no insurance. The van was seized on the spot and he has been reported for multiple offences.

Essex Police said the "potentially tragic" incident was a reminder that "seatbelts aren't optional".

The rear of the van was also "littered" with mattresses, a spokesperson said.