Five people suspected of robbing a shop in Dunmow were arrested within an hour of the crime.

Officers from Essex Police were called to the Co-op in Hallett Road, Flitch Green at around 8.10pm on Monday, August 26.

Men wearing dark clothes and balaclavas were reported to have gone into the shop, walked behind the till area and taken around £3,000 worth of cigarettes, before fleeing the scene in a car.

Braintree CID, Braintree and Uttlesford local policing team, the roads policing unit and staff from Essex Police's control room worked together to identify the suspect's car.

The car was pursued with support from colleagues in the Metropolitan Police, and was brought to a safe stop in Redbridge.

Four men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of drugs offences.

The driver of the vehicle was also arrested for a number of motoring offences.

They are all currently in custody and being questioned.

Inspector Andy Drake, from Braintree CID, said: "This was a fantastic response by our officers and demonstrates how our teams work together every day to detect crime. 

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"We understand this would have been a concerning incident to witness. We will not tolerate people who think they can come to Essex and commit this type of offence.

"Our enquiries are at an early stage and we are still appealing to anyone who has any information to get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police, citing incident 1052 of August 26.