THREE people were arrested and £1,000 of goods and alcohol was recovered thanks to “eagle-eye” off-duty officer.

Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit officers’ quick response saw three people arrested on suspicion of shop theft, before £1,000 of goods and alcohol was recovered.

Officers were called shortly after 12 noon on Wednesday, August 21, which notified them of suspicious activity in Blyths Meadow, Braintree, where a woman and a man were running towards a car and hurriedly trying to get inside it.

Stolen - The three people stole £1,000 of goods and alcohol. Stolen - The three people stole £1,000 of goods and alcohol. (Image: Essex Police)

An off-duty police officer gave Essex Police’s Force Control Room operator their vehicle registration before their driver headed off in the direction of Chelmsford.

Roads Policing officers were deployed to the scene where they found a discarded bag of medicines, whilst colleagues searched the area for the car.

Officers spotted the Seat car heading west on the A12 at Margaretting, and the vehicle was brought to a tactical stop at Brentwood after a short pursuit in which no one was injured and no cars damaged.

On the back seat of the car was a large amount of stolen goods including alcohol and medications.

Chase - A short car chase lead to the arrests and recovery of the goods. Chase - A short car chase lead to the arrests and recovery of the goods. (Image: Essex Police)

The three occupants, a woman and two men, all in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of shop theft.

They remain in custody for questioning in connection with two reports of theft at two stores in Braintree, earlier that same morning.

Head of Essex Police's Roads Policing Unit, Mr Adam Pipe, said: “Roads Policing officers will deal with all offences, especially those involved in the criminal use of our roads, and not just traffic issues.

“Thanks to the eagle-eye of an off-duty police officer, their assistance helped my officers respond professionally and quickly to the area to locate and arrest three people, recovering a substantial amount of goods too.

“Shoplifting has a detrimental effect on any business, and longer term on the community they serve, and we will continue to do all we can businesses to continue to trade and keep their staff safe.”