TWO people have been charged with a raft of offences after specialist officers used a stinger to stop a vehicle on the A12 during a police chase.

Essex Police also mobilised firearms officers, the police helicopter and dog units in connection with the incident, which took place on Friday afternoon.

The vehicle which was eventually brought to a halt on the A12 near Kelvedon was connected to an incident in Jaywick at about 2.15pm where police initially received reports a man had been shot.

Firearms units, supported by further unarmed officers from the Tendring response team, were sent to Beach Road where the weapon which had allegedly been used was quickly found to be an air rifle.

However, neither the suspect nor a weapon could be found at the scene.

Just afterwards, a car which had been connected to the incident was located on the A12.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A pursuit was then authorised with support from the police helicopter and units from the road policing team at Stanway.

“A stinger device was deployed while specialist response officers were able to box in the car, ensuring it had to stop.

“Our dogs unit was also on the scene and, during an initial search, a weapon was located in bushes near to where the car had been stopped. It has been seized.”

A man and a woman were arrested.

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Following the incident, Sunil Singh, 27, of Rectory Road, in London, has been charged with attempted kidnap, common assault and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Gurmet Kaur, 44, of Wilton Square in London, is charged with a public order offence, four counts of common assault and dangerous driving.

They are both due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court today.