On The Frontline: Foot Chases, Arrests And High Speed Pursuits, Havering Joint Task Force Are The Team Who Keep Our Borough Safe.

By Ross Elliott

On the Front Line: Ride-Along with Havering’s Joint Task Force.

Last week, I joined officers from the Havering Joint Task Force on a ride-along that saw arrests, foot chases, and a high-speed pursuit — a firsthand look at the team working to keep our borough safe.

The shift began at Hornchurch Police Station, where six officers led by Sergeant Ben Tanner briefed up and hit the road. Within minutes, an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) alert came in from Harold Hill. The vehicle flagged was believed to be using cloned plates — a suspicion backed up when the same registration was recorded earlier in Chelmsford. We immediately headed out, patrolling the area in search of the car.

As the team scouted Harold Hill, a sharp-eyed officer spotted a familiar face — a wanted individual previously arrested by the team for multiple burglaries. The man, recently recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his release, bolted on foot into nearby gardens. The entire team descended on the area and, within minutes, had him safely detained.

Not long after, half the team broke away to pursue another vehicle of interest. That operation ended successfully, with the suspect stopped and arrested. We then made our way to Romford Police Station to book the earlier detainee into custody.

After a quick stop for food, we were back on the road. Another cloned vehicle had triggered an ANPR camera in Hainault. With blue lights and sirens activated, we raced across the borough to the area and carried out extensive patrols — but once again, the car had disappeared.

Later in the shift, a call came through over the radio. An Audi A5 had failed to stop for officers and was last seen speeding away from Harold Hill. We responded urgently from Upminster, but by the time we arrived, the Audi had vanished — reportedly reaching speeds of 120mph along the A12. No further ANPR hits were recorded, and the team suspected the driver may have doubled back. Officers continued to patrol the area in search of the vehicle.

This was a special operation run for three nights-from 8^th – 10^th July 2025. The operation which ran through the early hours was put in place to target motor vehicle thefts across the borough. This was a joint operation with Essex Police.

The team’s first deployment saw them attend a residential address and arrest an adult male on behalf of West Midlands Police who was wanted for robbery, rape and possession of firearms. Having contained the address, the fugitive was arrested in the rear gardens after he attempted to evade capture.

A pursuit generated across Essex when a wanted motorcycle passed through Havering and with the assistance of a police helicopter, the motorcycle and its rider were successfully intercepted. The motorcycle was found to bearing false VRM plates. The rider was arrested for dangerous driving and for having no licence/insurance. The motorcycle was seized by officers.

Another vehicle pursuit in Crow Lane, Romford with police traffic officers pursuing a cloned Skoda Octavia. During the pursuit, the Skoda reversed and rammed a traffic car. Both male adult occupants were eventually detained in Dagenham. The driver was charged and remanded for driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving and criminal damage. The passenger was found to have entered the UK illegally and is now awaiting deportation. The Skoda was seized by police.

Whilst on patrol the team spotted a convicted residential burglar in Harold Hill. The adult male was wanted to be recalled to prison. Upon sighting officers the male made off into rear gardens. He was chased and eventually arrested in Pains Brook Way. He is now back in prison.

Essex Police and HJTF then intercepted a vehicle in Brook Street, Brentwood. The vehicle contained an adult male wanted for questioning in relation to vehicle thefts in London. As a result the team arrested this male.

A second vehicle interception shortly after saw a cloned Mercedes stopped in Harold Hill. The adult male driver was found to be wanted for theft related matters and disqualified from driving. He was arrested and subsequently  charged. The vehicle was seized by police.

During this deployment HJTF also recovered two stolen vehicles. A Mercedes G Wagon and an Audi A4. Both vehicles have been returned to delighted owners.

In total 7 arrests were made by the team, who also recovered 2 stolen vehicles and seized 3 vehicles for which the drivers held no valid licence and/or insurance.

Havering Joint Task Force operate across the borough tackling serious crime, targeting offenders, and reacting fast to intelligence. After just a few hours out with them, one thing is clear: they are a sharp, coordinated unit working under pressure to keep the public safe.

The work these officers do is truly outstanding and their search for those who commit crime is relentless. They have an incredible success record for catching burglars, thieves, and those choosing to embark in anti social behaviour.

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