THREE men carrying weapons and drugs were chased down by police after they sped off in a car.

A specialised team from Essex Police’s Operational Support Group (OSG) were carrying out routine stop checks on cars in Southend, when a motorist driving a silver Volkswagen Polo did not stop.

Police carried out a short pursuit and found the dumped vehicle before chasing three men on foot.

Insp Tony Adams, from the team, said: “The suspects failed to stop in routine random checks being carried out by the team.

“They fled and attempted to drive away.

“The team found the vehicle which had been left, and then found three people after our pursuit.

“They were arrested later for possession of a knife and dangerous driving, we also found substances believed to be class A and B drugs.”

One of the suspects was already wanted by Essex Police for grievous bodily harm under a court warrant.

Following the arrest of the three men, the OSG returned to the vehicle to find a dog still inside it.

Police confiscated nine cartridges containing Class A and B drugs, a knife, four mobile phones and a sum of cash that amounted to more than £100.