A have-a-go hero jumped into the back of his lorry as it was being driven away by thieves.

Police are now anxious for information after the blue freight box van was stolen in Benfleet and travelled to Basildon.

The van, with yellow writing, was taken from Rushbottom Lane, Benfleet, at around 11.20am on Wednesday.

The lorry travelled along the A130 and A127 where it was followed by a white Ford Fiesta.

The lorry eventually pulled into Pound Lane, Basildon, where the driver made his escape from the back of the lorry, before it made off again.

The lorry and Fiesta then drove into Burnt Mills Road where police say the driver jumped out of the car and into the lorry - which was later found abandoned in Warley.

Published Friday August 9, 2002

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