POLICE are investigating whether two road traffic incidents involving a Mini Cooper on Canvey at the weekend are linked.

Officers were called to an incident in Mitchels Avenue at around 2.25pm on Saturday, June 17, after a Mini Cooper mounted a path and struck a cyclist. The vehicle then drove off, leaving the man with bruising and a cut to one of his forearms.

The following day, a Mini Cooper and a Ford Focus were seen racing each other before crashing into four other vehicles in Suffolk Way, Canvey, at about midday.

The occupants of both cars fled the scene and a woman was taken to hospital for checks. She was discharged later that day.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Anna Granger, of Basildon CID, said: “We are currently treating both road traffic collisions as isolated incidents and we are trying to establish whether there were any connections or criminals links associated with them.

“We can’t not stress enough how dangerous the actions of the drivers are and want to reassure people that we are working hard to identify the drivers involved, so we can find them and deal with them.

“Over the coming weeks, people will see increased and visible roads policing teams in Canvey.

“Both incidents happened in the middle of hot summer days, with many motorists and pedestrians nearby, and we urge any with information or CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”