A fast-moving thief nearly made a special delivery of his own after stealing a Post Office van loaded with Christmas cards.

The large red van was driven off after its driver made a delivery in Durham Road, Laindon, at around 11am yesterday.

Police say an officer in a marked squad car saw the van ten minutes later being driven along Spire Road, just a couple of miles from where it was stolen.

However, the thief may have seen the officer and quickly drove the van into Hermitage Drive, a cul-de-sac.

A Basildon officer said: "The sole occupant made off pretty quickly and by the time the squad car arrived they had gone. A thorough search of the area was made but with no success.

"The vehicle was recovered with its contents intact and it was handed to our forensics team for examination."

A spokesman for the Post Office said: "We understand only two items of mail had been opened, but they were just samples from a company. Those items will be delivered to the customers with a full explanation.

"We do have security measures which includes drivers not leaving vehicles running while they're delivering post for this very reason. Needless to say we will be reminding this particular driver, although I think they've learned their lesson the hard way."

Anyone with information about the theft should contact Basildon police on 01268 532212

Published Wednesday November 28, 2001