Police are searching for the driver of a vehicle abandoned on a railway line that is causing disruption to train services.
Hertfordshire Police said that two officers were injured and several cars were damaged after police attempted to intercept a stolen vehicle, which had been driven into the area from Essex on Thursday morning.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show a black car fleeing officers on a residential road, with separate footage later showing what appears to be the same vehicle being driven on railway tracks at Cheshunt Station.
British Transport Police (BTP) said the vehicle has now been removed, with officers working alongside Hertfordshire Police to search the area for the driver.
National Rail said lines have reopened following the obstruction but warned major disruption was set to continue until 2pm on Thursday, with Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services affected.
❗ UPDATE: All lines are now OPEN following an obstruction on the line at #Cheshunt.
— Greater Anglia (@greateranglia) July 15, 2021
Services between Liv St & Bishop's Stortford, Hertford East, Stansted Airport and Cambridge are now able to run.
Cancellations, alterations & delays to be expected whilst the service recovers.
A Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman said: “At around 9.30am on Thursday 15 July, our control room was made aware that a stolen vehicle had travelled into Hertfordshire ground, from Essex.
“The vehicle was located in Cheshunt and officers from Essex Police attempted to speak to the driver.
“The vehicle then made off, injuring two officers and damaging several vehicles in the process.
“Officers from Hertfordshire also attended to assist with the search and the vehicle was found abandoned on nearby train tracks, in Windmill Lane.
“A search of the area is currently being carried out to locate the driver and officers are working alongside British Transport Police to recover the vehicle. It was not struck by a train at any point.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or saw the vehicle driving in the area, is asked to contact police on 101.”
A spokeswoman for BTP added: “Officers received a report of a car on the railway line in Cheshunt at 9.43am today.
“Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from colleagues from Hertfordshire Police and Essex Police and assisted with a search to locate the driver.
“The vehicle has now been removed from the tracks.”
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