Three people have been arrested after police spotted a suspected stolen car on cloned number plates in Rayleigh last night.

Acting on intelligence officers, identified a suspected stolen white BMW 320 on cloned number plates at the BP Garage in London Road.

They attended the service station shortly after 8pm and stopped two vehicles, a white BMW and a grey Vauxhall Astra.

The drivers of both vehicles and a passenger from the Astra were arrested and are now in custody.

A 40-year-old man from Basildon was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, driving whilst disqualified and was wanted on recall to prison.

A 36-year-old woman from Rayleigh was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a vehicle, driving offences, theft and possession of a Class A drug.

A 46-year-old man from Rayleigh was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

They remain in custody and enquiries are continuing.