FIVE men, one wielding a 12-inch knife, stormed into a Pitsea home.

The gang forced their way into the property in Voysey Gardens at about 8.20am on Sunday and a fight broke out inside. Two men then fled the scene.

Multiple members of the public dialled 999 after they had seen a disturbance in the street and emergency response officers swarmed to the scene.

Inside the address, they found three men, cash worth up to £3,000, a large bag of cannabis and several mobile phones. Officers further uncovered blood and a large knife inside the house.

Police carried out an area search and arrested two men nearby. During the incident, two of the men received wounds to their arm and hands, believed to be caused by a weapon.

The incident is believed to be drug related.

Sgt Kayleigh Webster, who attended the scene, said: “With gang and drug related crimes being a policing priority for Essex Police, we are dedicated into tackling this issue.

“I am very proud of my team for their prompt response, securing and preserving evidence to support a realistic prospect of conviction. If there are any witnesses I would urge them to come forward with information whether that’ll be anonymous or not.”

A 23-year-old man from Lewisham, a 17-year-old boy from Bromley, a 22-year-old man from Clerkenwell were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply.

They have been released on bail.

A 27-year-old man from Dagenham and an 18-year-old man from Catford who were arrested on suspicion of GBH and aggravated burglary were released without charge. Call Essex Police on 101 with any information.