A GANG rammed a Range Rover with an Audi before stealing it during a carjacking in Canvey.

Detectives are searching for four people following the incident in Hertford Road.

It is understood the driver of an Audi was travelling at speed when they either lost control or deliberately crashed into a Range Rover.

Four people then got out of the Audi before setting upon the driver of the Ranger Rover and forcing them out of the larger vehicle.

The Range Rover was then also taken.

The incident has caused concern in the community.

Residents were left shaking and received a visit from police officer during their enquiries.

One woman said: “My mum lives in the road, and she called me and was in a right state after the incident.

“It left her very shaken, you don’t expect this sort of thing to happen where you live.

“It is just so awful.

“My mum was one of the residents who was visited by police officers who were looking for more information.”

Island councillors said they are concerned about the incident

Jay Blissett, Tory councillor for Canvey West, said: “I think this is rare and is an unusual crime.

“I think it makes you wonder what was going on here for this to happen.

“It doesn’t make sense to me why the driver of the Audi would crash into another crash and potentially damage their car.

“It makes people not want to go out and get in their car if this sort of thing is going on.

“It must have been horrendous for the Range Rover driver.”

She said she thinks if this is an innocent attack then she feels crime is escalating on the island.

Veteran Tory councillor Ray Howard said it is very frightening.

He said: “It sounds like an awful ordeal.

“I have represented Canvey West for about 50 years and I have never heard of anything happening like this.

“These people must be caught and we cannot have this sort of thing going on in our streets.

“I am concerned about this and will make enquiries and will be offering to help the police anyway that I can.”

Police are now appealing to members of the public for more information.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called at 7.40pm on Monday to reports a grey Audi had been in collision with a black Range Rover Sport with the licence plate BL63 HVN in Hertford Road. The Range Rover was then stolen.”

Anyone with any information is urged to call 101 quoting 42/131477/18 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.