Essex Police: Teenage boy arrested after stolen van pursuit ends in crash

A boy was arrested after a stolen van crashed into gates on Cavendish Drive in Westcliff-on-Sea

A teenage boy was arrested after a stolen van with false number plates crashed after it was pursued by police.

Essex Police said its officers detained the youngster in Westcliff-on-Sea at about 22:00 BST on 8 April.

Officers said items, including tools and suspected drugs, were thrown from the van as it sped away, before it crashed into gates on Cavendish Drive.

The boy remained in custody for questioning in connection with nine offences including theft of a vehicle.

He was also held on suspicion of failing to stop for police, failing to provide a breath test, criminal damage to gates, possession of a knife and a noxious substance.

He was further arrested for having no driving licence or insurance.

Inquiries by officers searching the vehicle revealed the van was stolen from Stanford-le-Hope in March.

Adam Pipe, Essex Police's head of road policing, said: "Each and every day our officers are patrolling the county to identify offenders who cause harm to our communities and this tour of duty was no different."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.

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