Essex Police have arrested a 45-year-old man after a stolen black Jaguar led officers on a high-speed pursuit from Southend to the M25, damaging several police vehicles and narrowly missing pedestrians.
The chase began at around 04:00 BST when police attempted to stop the Jaguar on the A127 towards Southend. The vehicle crashed into a central reservation before entering the city, where it collided with a police car, smashing a window, and drove through a red light in the Queensway area.
Further incidents saw the Jaguar drive at a police vehicle in a car park off Coleman Street. It then headed towards London on the A127 and onto the M25, where the Metropolitan Police joined the pursuit.
The car was eventually stopped near Brentwood with a missing front driver tyre and a detached front passenger wheel. The suspect, from Romford, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop, and failing to provide a breath test.
Detective Superintendent Gary Biddle praised officers' "tenacity and bravery," adding: "Thankfully, this incident ended without serious injury, but it could very easily have been different."
