A 16-year-old boy has been charged with dangerous driving after he failed to stop for police in Tilbury.

The boy, who initially told officers he was 15, failed to stop in Biggin Lane, Tilbury, on Thursday at about 8.30pm.

He has also been charged with driving without a licence and with no insurance.

The child has been released on bail to appear at Basildon Youth Court on July 21.

He was arrested as part of a police operation to disrupt criminal activity across Essex.

A 46-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead was also arrested on suspicion of theft and breach of bail conditions after stopping a car on the M25 near Brentwood.

He was released on bail pending further enquiries until Saturday, July 4.

Automatic number plate recognition technology, stop checks and mobile patrols were used to identify vehicles whose drivers were suspected of committing motoring offences or who may have been involved in crime.

Another man was arrested and charged following an incident in Maple Road, Canvey.

Jeffery Jerome, 48, a carpenter of Thorney Bay Road, Canvey, was charged with driving with excess alcohol and is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on July 30.