BURGLARS reached speeds of 100mph during a late-night police chase on the A127.

Officers mounted the high-speed pursuit after thieves stole a Fiat 500 and a BMW from the driveway of a home in Wickford.

The drivers, who had turned off the lights on the cars, were followed all the way to east London where the BMW eventually smashed into a tree.

Meanwhile, the Fiat 500 was boxed in by officers from the Met Police. Two people were arrested in the aftermath. The drama started at about 1.45am on Tuesday, after a woman woke to see thieves stealing both cars off her driveway in Station Avenue, Wickford. They had broken into her house to get the keys.

She called police, who put an automatic number plate recognition trace on the vehicles.

Moments later they set off cameras as they left Wickford.

Both cars turned off their headlights as the Fiat 500 was clocked doing speeds of 100mph.

Essex Police followed the cars to Dagenham, where Met Police took up the pursuit and used their cars to box in the Fiat. One man was then arrested.

The BMW was pursued to the A127’s junction with the A12 where it turned into residential streets. It eventually hit a tree in Becontree Avenue, Dagenham.

A man was arrested as he tried to get away.

Yesterday, carpet fitter Bradley Tucker, 23, from Davingham Road, Dagenham, appeared in Basildon Magistrates’ Court where he denied burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Builder Shane Smith, 25, of Barstable Avenue, Barking, denied burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and dangerous driving.

The pair were both denied bail.

They will appear at Basildon Crown Court in the week commencing December 15, by video link.