Police were today hunting three men after a late night ram-raid which led to a dramatic police chase through Wickford.

The gang, wearing balaclavas, drove a Mitsubishi Shogun through the front window of Costcutter in Alderney Gardens and up-rooted a cash machine.

They then hauled it on to a trailer and drove off towards Ramsden Heath.

Police, alerted to the raid, gave chase. Up to seven police cars were hot on its tail as it weaved its way through Wickford's streets in the early hours of the morning.

The car had been reported stolen from the Crays Hill area shortly before the incident at 2.40am on Saturday.

The blue Shogun was followed along Swan Lane, Brock Hill and then Downham Road.

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