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Armed officers called after reports of gunshots

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
BBC News, Essex
Getty Images Three police officers are standing outside with their backs to the camera. They are all wearing yellow fluorescent jackets with silver stripes across the arms and back. Writing in a blue box on the back of the jackets reads, POLICE.Getty Images
Essex Police said members of the public reported a confrontation between two groups and a dark-coloured vehicle driving suspiciously

Armed police responded to reports of gunshots in a residential area after people reported a confrontation between two groups.

Essex Police was called to the Seabrooke Rise area of Grays, after numerous calls from members of the public after 19:00 BST on Saturday.

They reported a confrontation between two groups of people with witnesses also hearing gunshots.

The force said it has found no injuries consistent with a gunshot, but it was treating the reports extremely seriously and "a number of armed units arrived on the scene very quickly".

Reports also said a dark-coloured vehicle was being driven suspiciously in the area.

The force said officers have carried out an extensive search of the area, but no-one matching the descriptions given has been identified.

The force remained in the area overnight, and said it was following up "a number of fast-paced and targeted lines of inquiry".

It appealed for anyone with information which they have not reported yet to come forward - particularly dashcam and doorbell footage.

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