THREE men have been arrested after police specialist resources entered a warehouse in Grays which had been occupied by travellers.

The empty industrial unit was broken in to shortly before midnight last night, Monday, October 3, and Essex Police officers were sent to the scene in the early hours of this morning.

Following negotiations today, officers entered the building and three men were arrested just before 4pm on suspicion of taking a forklift truck without consent and criminal damage.

The men, aged 29 from Strabane, Northern Ireland, 36 from Ryton-on-Dunsmore and 27 from Ilford, are currently in custody.

All vehicles have been removed from the sight and the building made secure.

Essex Police was assisted by officers from the eastern region as well as by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service and Thurrock Council.