A DRIVER fled from police during a car chase leaving behind a stolen car and class A drugs.

Police officers chased the stolen Ford Kuga along roads in Westcliff, but the driver fled the scene.

Officers from the Essex Police Operation Raptor Team, in a message to the driver, tweeted: “Stolen car recovered following a decamp.

“Numerous items such as Class A drugs, mobile phones and a quality looking piece of music all seized.

“Get in touch about an interview before we come knocking on your door.”

Matt Dent, Labour shadow councillor for public protection said this shows how crime spills out of London to Southend.

He said: “I know this area and it is relatively quiet.

“This is not the sort of think you expect to happen here.

“I think it shows how crime is interconnected.

“I obviously understand any concerns from residents as it is a worrying thing to happen on your doorstep.

“I think the message from this is that it is important for different police forces to work together.

“I would of course urge residents not to be too affected by this.

“It is not an everyday occurrence in Southend.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We attempted to stop a Ford Kuga in Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff, shortly after 10.50am on Friday, April 12.

“It failed to stop and drove the wrong way down a one way street, was in collision with a Vauxhall Zafira and stopped in Springfield Drive, Westcliff.

“The driver, a man, ran off.

“Enquiries are ongoing to find him.

“The car was found to have been stolen from London.

“Inside were suspected class A drugs.

“Anyone with information is asked to call Op Raptor South on 101 quoting incident 378 of April 12.”

Essex Police set up Op Raptor teams across the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime across the county.

The teams carry out regular raids and warrants to combat criminals including those travelling from the capital.