Two men have been arrested after a vehicle with false plates and a hunting knife was found in Dartford.

Police saw the vehicle on the evening of Wednesday, November 23, when driving an unmarked police car.

The vehicle was spotted driving away from a petrol station on Thames Road, Dartford, at a high speed.

After stopping the vehicle not far from the petrol station, two men tried to flee on foot.

However, they were caught and arrested.

Both men, aged 30 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of offences including theft and possession of a bladed item.

They have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Patrick Milford of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “Burglars, thieves and other criminals do not recognise county boundaries or care which force is responsible for policing a particular area. All they think about is making money from and taking possessions that do not belong to them.

“It is therefore very important we know who is travelling in and out of Kent with the intention of committing crime, and that we work with neighbouring forces to take action against them.

“This was a successful operation that resulted in a number of arrests, but equally as important was the amount of information we were able to obtain into a number of ongoing investigations relating to serious and organised criminality.

“This work will continue in the interests of everyone who lives and works in Kent.”

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “On November 23 a vehicle was witnessed by officers in an unmarked police car being driven away from a petrol station at speed on Thames Road, Dartford.

“After stopping a short distance away, two men attempted to flee on foot but were caught and arrested.

“The vehicle was later found to be on false registration plates and had numerous items of meat and alcohol inside that are believed to have been stolen.

“A hunting knife was also located.

“Both men, one aged 30 and the other 27, were arrested for offences including theft and possession of a bladed item and released on bail pending further enquiries.”