Five stolen cars have been recovered after two men were arrested thanks to the Epping Forest Community Safety Team stopping them.

Officers were alerted of the suspicious activity yesterday in Waltham Abbey after the men were spotted towing a Volvo car with their truck.

Police discovered the stolen vehicle originated from London and eventually tracked down the tow truck near Epping.

The truck was then escorted by police into the car park of the Bell Hotel at Bell Common where they were arrested on suspicion of theft offences.

A police spokesman praised the officers for a "cracking bit of police work".

Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership is funded by Epping Forest District Council.

They were assisted by officers from Road Policing Unit (South) and the Force Control Room in Chelmsford in capturing the thieves.

Community Safety Team, Sergeant Neil Ross, said: "Fortunately the opportunity arose to put in an enforced stop as the truck was driven into Epping and the truck and its load were stopped safety."

The two men, aged 22 and 62 from the Hertfordshire area, have since been released under investigation.

The investigation continues.