Two men have been arrested in connection with a £300,000 burglary of high-performance motorcycles and equipment in Essex.

A 45-year-old man from Plaistow was arrested on Sunday and a 22-year-old man from Canning Town, was arrested on Monday after twelve high-performance motorcycles, crash helmets, protective clothing, tyres and cash, together valued at more than £250,000, were taken during a break-in at Cannon Motorcycles, in Braintree, between September 14 and 15.

The intruders also caused more than £50,000 damage.

DC Jamie Stirland of Braintree CID said: “Numerous lines of enquiry have been progressed by the Police, with excellent assistance and information from the public.

“The recovery of the stolen property is excellent news both for the victim and the investigation and gives a new avenue of enquiry. The recovered property has been submitted for forensic work and I am confident this will yield results.”

The stolen bikes include nine BMW S1000RRs, one BMW S1000R, one KTM NC8 and a BMW HP4.

Two of the machines were recovered in Newham on October 1 following an operation by the City of London Police.

DC Stirland added: “Although two bikes has been recovered there is still a vast amount of property outstanding that I am actively seeking to recover, I have leads in respects of this and further warrants will be executed over the coming weeks.”

Two large transit vans were used to carry out the burglary and it is believed that four or more men were involved in the incident.

Any witnesses who saw the men and vans in the area, or anyone with information about the 10 stolen bikes and other equipment should contact DC Stirland at Braintree CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Those arrested have been bailed to December 22 pending further enquiries.