Basildon town centre: Investigation after car crashes into shop

The incident happened in Town Square, Basildon, just before 2am this morning, as officers were alerted to a car striking into a shop.

It was reported that a vehicle had crashed into the front of the premises and two men got out and took a number of items.

Incident - Cordon in place at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Both men then got back into the vehicle, which Essex Police believe to be a large, dark-coloured SUV-style vehicle, and left the area towards the market area, through St Martin’s Square, towards Broadmayne.

The force said both men were wearing black hooded tops and black or dark-coloured tracksuit bottoms.

One man had white socks pulled over the tracksuit bottoms and white trainers, while the other man was wearing black trainers.

Damage - Car smashes into shop in Basildon (Image: Newsquest)

The incident has caused substantial damage to the property and there remains a policing presence in the area today as the building awaits a structural inspection.

No arrests have been made at this stage of the investigation.

Acting Det Insp James McLean-Brown said: “Our investigation into this incident is progressing at pace today and we’re following a number of targeted lines of enquiry.

“We are working determinedly to identify and arrest the people responsible for this.

“I would also ask for anyone who witnessed the incident or any suspicious driving in the area in the early hours of Sunday morning to please come forward and speak to us.”