Stolen vehicles worth nearly £500,000 were found by police in a suspected "chop shop" in Colchester.

Essex Police say 18 suspected stolen cars were found and a man was arrested at the site in Ipswich Road, Colchester.

Officers say they were alerted to a site in Ipswich Road at around 5.35pm on Tuesday of last week (16 August).

Officers say when they attended they found 18 stolen vehicles worth a combined total of more than £436,000.

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

He has since been released on bail until October 16 while investigations continue.

An Essex Police spokesman appealed for public information following the discovery.

The spokesman added: "If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote incident 1082 of 16 August.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday between 10am-9pm.

"Alternatively you can call us on 101. In an emergency always call 999.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."