Four arrested on suspicion of theft after breaking into lorry in Basildon

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of theft after a lorry was broken into. Essex Police confirmed they were arrested after they received reports regarding them "acting suspiciously" in Basildon on December 17. Police found the lock of an HGV container had been broken and the containers entered upon arrival, before locating a car connected to the incident in a layby on the A12 at Brentwood.

Police reported bolt croppers had been thrown from the car as they approached it, which were later recovered from the bushes by police dog Kaiser. They thanked a "vigilant" member of the public for assisting in the arrest of the men, ADVERTISEMENT

A police spokesperson said: "On the evening of Thursday 17 December, our Contact Centre received information about a vehicle and its occupants acting suspiciously in Basildon after the lock of an HGV container had been broken and the container entered. "Roads Policing Unit officers searched the area for the car and quickly located it in a layby on A12 at Brentwood. "As officers approached the motor, an item was thrown from the car.

"PD Kaiser was directed to the location and tracked and found the item, a pair of bolt croppers, hidden in some bushes.

"At 11.15pm, all four occupants were arrested on suspicion of theft and going equipped to steal.

"They remain in police custody for questioning."