A GANG of armed thugs threatened a man with a machete as he walked along the street.

The police helicopter could be seen hovering over Wickford as officers searched for the gang of three, who are still on the run.

Armed police were also spotted in Seven Acres, where the terrifying incident took place at about 9.30pm on Friday.

The victim, who was threatened with a large weapon resembling a hatchet, was shaken but unhurt.

Retired Joyce Robson, 67, of Seven Acres, said she heard the helicopter.

She said: “The helicopter was up at about 10pm, it kept circling and circling.

“It made me think that something serious must have happened or they were searching for someone missing.

“It’s a massive worry that they were searching for someone with a knife. It does make you feel a bit frightened.”

A mum-of-three, 45, who did not want to be named, said her son saw armed police in the street.

She said: “My son saw some police run past the front of the house. He said they had guns and they were shouting.

“A little bit later on, they had torches and it looked like they were searching in people’s back gardens.

“I heard it was kids with knives, it’s shocking.”

Michael Mowe, Conservative councillor for Wickford North, called for a heightened police presence in the town in the wake of the incident.

He said: “Any incident which involves a knife, a machete or a gun is obviously a massive concern.

“Personally, I think that nothing beats bobbies on the beat. Police officers know where perpetrators live and they know the crime hotspots.

“It doesn’t matter how much data you put into a database, you can’t beat a bobby on the beat.

“They act as a deterrent and liaise with the community, we need to bring them back.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were contacted with reports a man had been threatened with a knife by three men in Seven Acres, Wickford, around 9.30pm on Friday, June 17.

“Officers supported by the helicopter conducted an area search but the suspects were not located.

“We believe they may have been seen in Rettendon Way earlier in the evening.”

Special constable Jon Hughes, who was called to the scene, took to social media to reassure residents following the incident.

He Tweeted: “Taken a victim statement from a male who was threatened by a group believed to be holding a machete. Now implementing safeguarding measures.”

No arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.