COPS swooped on a suspected stolen car in the middle of rush-hour traffic.

Officers from Basildon were alerted the black Mitsubishi Shogun might be stolen after it activated one of the town’s automated number plate recognition cameras.

The cameras scan vehicle licence plates and can tell within seconds whether a car is untaxed, uninsured, not registered, stolen or has been used in connection with a crime.

Officers arrested a 27-year-old man from Wickford, following the incident which happened at 5pm on Wednesday.

He was later released without charge after the car was found not to be stolen.