Police are investigating after two men tried to steal several cars yesterday evening. 

Officers were called to Station Road, Felsted, just after 8pm after reports a man had been threatened with a knife and his BMW had been stolen.

The car triggered ANPR as it made its way to the A120 and a police pursuit took place before it was found abandoned at services near junction 8 off the A120.

The men had left on foot and attempted to steal another car – a black Mercedes – on a slip road at junction 8.

The driver was heading towards the services and at the first set of traffic lights a man ran towards her car.

He tried to open the door and placed his hands on the bonnet but the woman kept driving and they didn't manage to steal the car.

After this failed attempt, the men targeted a silver Vauxhall Agila which was also at a red traffic light on the main roundabout near the services.

The victim saw a man run down the middle of the road waving his hands so he wound down his window.

The man opened the driver’s door and shouted “get out, get out” before he grabbed the victim and tried to pull him out of the car.

The victim got out of the vehicle and a second man got in before the Vauxhall was driven away with other cars getting rammed in the process.

This was around 30 minutes after the BMW had been stolen in Felsted.

The Vauxhall was driven down the A1060 towards White Roding with officers in pursuit but the men abandoned the car near a farm shop and ran away.

Ds Jamie Stirland, said: “This was a fast-moving incident and a number of teams were deployed to assist.

“A number of people have been subjected to an awful ordeal, and in the course of the chase, a number of others were put in danger by their reckless and dangerous driving.

“We would appeal for anyone who can aid our enquiries to get in touch. It may be that some people have dash cam footage of parts of the incident.

“Extensive enquiries are being conducted to catch those responsible.”

The men have been described as white, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall and in their mid-20s.

One man was of stocky build, unshaven and was wearing a dark coat and blue jeans while the other man was of average build and unshaven.

The victims were shaken but uninjured.

Please contact Braintree CID with any information or dash cam footage, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.