Four gang members accused of trying to kill police officers with a shotgun during a high-speed police chase have been convicted in court.

They were arrested last July after trading shots with armed police in a dramatic quarter-of-an-hour pursuit across east London.

Police were called to Lascelles Close in Leytonstone on July 26, 2018, at around 10.45pm to reports of men in the area brandishing a firearm.

The armed officers made their way around the area and found a BMW Series 1 matching the description of the car on Cathall Road in Leytonstone.

After following the vehicle for a short time, the car made off and officers sounded their sirens and illuminated their blue lights.

But the car did not stop and a pursuit began, starting in Cobden Road, E11 and ending in Bective Road, E7.

During the pursuit, officers used specialist pursuit tactics making contact with the BMW, causing damage to both vehicles.

The pursuit ended when the BMW was blocked by an oncoming vehicle on Bective Road.

The driver of the BMW fled the scene whilst the other occupants were detained by police.

All the men were wearing face coverings, gloves and one man wore a clown mask.

Officers discovered a shortened shotgun, a large Zombie-style knife and a Zombie-axe in the car, as well as a hunting knife under the vehicle.

It was later established the car had been stolen during a burglary.

All men were found to be gang members and had produced many 'drill' music videos which included bragging about gang activity and serious criminality.

The convicted men appeared at the Old Bailey today and were found guilty of possession of firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Lekan Akinsoji, 21, of no fixed address, Nathaniel Lewis, 23, of Forest Gate, east London, Darnell Joseph-Newill, 21, of Stratford, east London, and Troy Ifill, 22, of Stratford, east London, will be sentenced on February 8.

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Topping from Trident said: "The four defendants who have been convicted today are extremely dangerous individuals.

"Given the weapons they had with them, including a firearm and zombie knives, I have no doubt that their intention was to seriously injure or kill someone.

"The men brandished the firearm at officers and it is extremely fortunate that one of our armed response vehicles was able to respond and arrest these men, before they had the opportunity to commit serious violence.

"This conviction demonstrates that the Metropolitan Police will work tirelessly to bring violent offenders to justice."