FOUR people were being quizzed last night after police officers chased a suspected stolen car which ended up crashing in a cul-de-sac.

Witnesses reported five police cars chasing a silver Vauxhall Corsa down Southchurch Avenue, Southend, in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Residents of Anson Chase, Shoebury, reported hearing sirens and seeing blue flashing lights shortly after 4am when the chase came to an abrupt end as the vehicle drove into the dead end.

Two cars belonging to residents were damaged when the suspect vehicle crashed into them before being stopped by police.

One resident, who lives in Anson Chase and has asked not to be named, said: “The whole street was lit up with blue lights.

“I saw two men and two women getting arrested at the scene.

“There was a lot of shouting and swearing and there were at least five police vehicles in attendance.

“They clearly weren’t from the area because they drove down a dead-end street and got stuck.

“I think they hit at least one car and then a street light which damaged a second car belonging to someone in the flats nearby.

“It was all very dramatic to wake up to in the middle of the night.”

A police spokesman confirmed four people had been arrested in connection with a stolen car probe.

He added: “Four people have been arrested after officers stopped what is believed to be a stolen car in Shoebury.

“The vehicle was stopped in Anson Chase at around 4.25am yesterday.

“A 24 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of taking a motor vehicle without consent, theft of a motor vehicle, and failing to answer bail.

“A 26 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

“Two women, aged 36 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.”

It is not known where the initial stop by police was attempted.

All four people were still being questioned last night as the Echo went to print.