A driver fled the scene after crashing through the garden wall of a house in Southend.

The crash involving a silver Mercedes took place in Southchurch Avenue.

Police are searching for the driver but would not confirm whether the car was stolen.

A spokesman for the force said: “We were contacted shortly after 12pm on Sunday, June 3, with reports a car had crashed into a brick wall in Southchurch Avenue, Southend.

“The driver left the scene before police arrived and enquiries are ongoing to locate them.”

Witness Laura Brentnall was walking down the road when the incident took place.

She said a lot of people came to the aid of the driver, however he picked something from the car and left. She said: “I was crossing the road further down.

“My six-year-old and I were shaken a little by it, as we could have been there.

“I heard a loud tyre spin and looked up to see the car smack into the wall.

“My partner ran up to see if anyone needed help, but said the driver ran off.”

The wall has been left seriously damaged with a barrier on the pavement completely destroyed.

Both police officers and firefighters attended the incident.

Southend resident Amy Leech was not surprised when she saw the incident had happened, saying the road has been a problem for some time.

She said: “I often regret driving down this road as the cars are usually badly parked or someone steps out in between them without looking.

“Someone always tries to drive past way too fast and not leave enough space for cars driving towards them.”

A shop worker, 41, who lives in Southchurch Avenue was deeply concerned for the homeowner, who will have to pay a lot of money to fix the home.

They said: “I think it must have been so scary for the people living there and very nearby.

“Must be awful.

“The damage looks very bad and I think it’s going to be expensive to fix.”