DRAMATIC scenes unfolded as police targeted an illegal car dealing gang with a series of dawn raids.

Officers across south Essex were authorised to carry out strikes in unison to target the gang – accused of stealing cars before selling them for parts.

A convoy met at pre-arranged rendezvous points in areas such as Basildon, Benfleet and Navestock.

In Navestock, at least ten police vehicles descended onto three locations.

The convoy was led by a Jankel, a heavy duty military vehicle with thick armour, that forced through the gates of one property.

It crashed through a fence to allow other police vehicles behind it to travel into the grounds.

Once police officers had made their way inside just after 5.45am yesterday, the occupants of the properties were roused from their beds and several were detained.

The scene was secured by officers using tools such as angle grinders to saw through hinges and locks on outbuildings.

Items were seized including at least 16 suspected stolen cars and equipment used by criminals to sell on stolen cars without being detected.

A cannabis farm was located in a London property with 200 plants growing inside.

As multiple police cars descended into neighbourhoods, people still went about their business, including feeding horses.

Many people were led away in handcuffs from their homes, while cars were analysed to identify if they had been stolen.

At a briefing beforehand, police officers were advised that the threat level from the raids was “low level”.

However, the officers were authorised to use batons and incapacity spray, plus a Taser officer was also in attendance.

Chief Insp Lewis Basford, a leader in the operation, said: “Vehicle theft causes serious harm to the victims both in terms of the financial loss of the vehicle itself and the impact is has on their life.

“It can affect your home life, your ability to take your kids to school.”