Stolen van from Gravesend recovered in minutes

Patrolling officers recovered a stolen van and arrested 2 men 16 minutes after the vehicle was reported missing in Gravesend.

The Ford Transit vehicle was reported stolen from Albert Murray Close at 2.11am on Monday 21 September 2026 and following the report patrols were alerted.

Local officers saw a vehicle matching the description of the van which appeared to be driving in convoy with a Ford Fiesta and heading towards the Dartford Crossing.

They brought the stolen van, which was already displaying a false number plate, to a controlled stop, along with a Fiesta, by 2.27am.

Having searched the car officers found several number plates inside along with gloves and a drill. Two men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and driving without insurance.

Officers were able to reunite the owner of the van and it was returned to them by 3.11am.

The two arrested men, a 41 year old man and a 24 year old man, both from Hertfordshire, remain in custody while enquiries continue.