TPAC moving roadblock operation of the kind used to stop pursuit on M11. Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYRY20AJaG4

Three men have been arrested after stealing a large quantity of cannabis plants from a house being used as a cannabis factory in Havering.

Police officers on a routine patrol came across the burglary in progress in Dewsbury Road, Harold Hill at about 10 pm last night.

They watched three men force entry and move 100 cannabis plants into a Honda Civic.

When they spotted the police they abandoned the stolen plants in the Honda, and drove away in a Renault Laguna.

Met Police officers pursued the Renault which carried onto the M25 at speeds of over 120 mph, and then M11 at speeds of over 100 mph.

With the help of Essex police the three men were eventually stopped on the M11 at around Stanstead northbound.

The National Police Air Service London had been called into the operation.

The vehicle was brought to a stop by a ‘TPAC manoeuvre.’

Tactical Pursuit And Containment is a preferred British policing method of boxing in a fail to stop vehicle by using police cars as a moving roadblock.

An example of TPAC in operation

The three men aged 54, 29, and 32 have been arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of cannabis and dangerous driving.

They’ve been taken to a north-east London police station where they remain in custody.

Both vehicles and the plants have been seized by police.

Enquiries continue to identify and trace the residents of the property in Dewsbury Road.