Three men were arrested after stealing a large amount of cannabis plants from a house before leading the police car chase along a motorway last night.

The men, aged 54, 29 and 32, were interrupted at 10pm by officers on routine patrol as they loaded the plants into a Honda Civic on Dewsbury Road, Harold Hill.

The police noticed entry had been forced to the house and there were over a hundred plants in the car.

Upon seeing the officers the men abandoned the Honda and took off in another car.

The Met pursued the vehicle which was stopped on the northbound carriage of the M11 with the assistance of Essex Police.

Both vehicles and the plants have been seized by police and the three men were taken to a north east London police station where they remain in custody.

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