POLICE officers couldn’t believe their luck when they pulled over to help a broken down car… only to realise it was stolen.

Officers from Essex Police’s roads policing team and dog section were called to reports of a broken down car on the A12 on Saturday night.

But, to their amusement, as they ran checks they found the vehicle to be stolen.

A spokesman said: “What's worse than breaking down on the A12 late on the Saturday before Christmas and needing the police to attend to keep you safe?

“Breaking down in a stolen vehicle on the A12 late on the Saturday before Christmas and needing the police to attend to keep you safe because you have run out of petrol.

“Officers were called to reports of a broken down vehicle on the A12. As they arrived they were met by a female stood with the car and a male just arriving back at the car with a petrol can.

“While running checks on the vehicle, they found the vehicle to be a stolen car.

“Our officers were kind enough to give them a lift to the nearest police station where they were both given a room for one for the night along with breakfast.”