Police arrested a teenage boy on suspicion of multiple offences after a high speed chase across Blackshots Field off Stanford Road.

The seventeen-year-old boy from Grays was chased by police after ‘failing to stop’.

Officers were called to Stour Road on Monday September 28 following reports that a wheel clamp had been prised off a car and the car ‘driven away’.

The boy driving the car was arrested on the field on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, a traffic offence, failing to stop when directed and criminal damage.

Clive Evans, 67, Springfield Road, who lives on the nearby estate, witnessed the getaway.

Mr Evans said: “I was surprised – I’ve not really seen something like that before and it was unusual to see a car speeding across an open field like that.”

“I’m too old to be shocked by anything these days – people come here and they do have suspicious behaviour, we do get a lot of dubious characters around this estate.

“If someone is local to the area it could be quite a good way to escape I suppose.”

The youth was released on police bail until Wednesday October 7, pending further enquiries.