A KNIFE and potentially noxious substance have been seized as a van crashed into gates after a police chase.

Specialist officers spotted a Ford Transit van displaying false plates in Westcliff last night and, almost immediately, witnessed tools and white powder suspected to be drugs being thrown from the van as it sped away from the police marked vehicle.

The van was followed from where it was seen in Manchester Drive, shortly before 10pm, to nearby Cavendish Gardens before it crashed into entrance gates to a recreational facility, believed to be Cavendish Sports Ground.

The driver unsuccessfully tried to run off before being detained and arrested.

Enquiries by officers searching the vehicle revealed the van was stolen from Stanford-le-Hope in March.

They found a knife and a bottle containing liquid which, at this stage, it’s believed to be a noxious substance.

Essex Police's head of roads policing, Mr Adam Pipe, said: "Each and every day our officers are patrolling the county to identify offenders who cause harm to our communities and this tour of duty was no different.

"We have seized a knife and a liquid substance that may be noxious from ever being criminally used in our county – it’s true that each arrest has a positive impact on the wider community."

The teenager remains in police custody for questioning in connection with nine offences after he was arrested on suspicion of theft of vehicle, failing to stop for police, failing to provide a breath test, criminal damage to gates, possession of a knife and a noxious substance.

He has been further arrested for having no driving licence or insurance. 

Anyone with any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, should contact police via essex.police.uk or by calling 101.

Alternatively, information can be submitted anonymously by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.