A MAN was shot in the leg in a quiet residential street last night.

Residents heard a loud bang at around 9.45pm last night in Durham Road in Southend.

The victim was taken to hospital but his injuries have been described as not life threatening or life changing.

A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I didn’t hear anything, I was watching a film at the time and the volume was quite high.

“I saw some lights reflected on my window but I didn’t go to look at what had happened.

“I went to bed and at about 1am I had a knock on the door from the police. They told me that a man had been shot in the leg and asked if I had seen or heard anything.

“It is quite surprising, this is a quiet road, apart from the odd burglary over the years, there haven’t been many times the police have been here.

“They were there all night, they were taking pictures and I think they were looking for something.

"The whole road was closed off for a while but now police tape is only on a few properties."

George and Shiela Purssold, who live on Durham Road, thought they were dreaming when they heard the noise.

Mrs Purssold said: “We were both asleep when it happened but I woke up because I heard a loud noise, I thought it was just a car hitting the curb – I thought I was dreaming.

“It does make you think and worry, but we didn’t look out to see what had happened.

A resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I came home and saw the police tape and the armed response unit was there. I don’t know what happened but my step-son was in the garden in the evening and heard a loud bang, screaming and then a screech from what sounded like a car leaving quickly.

“We haven’t been told anything but it must be serious because the police have been there all day. It isn’t surprising, we have lived in this road for 11-years and there have been some incidents in the past.

Another resident added: “It is a bit worrying. It must have been serious because all the police have been here all day and they were here all night as well.”

A spokesman for the police said: “Police were called to an address in Durham Road, Southend shortly after 9.45pm on Friday April 7 to reports that a man had been shot.

“One man has been taken to hospital and is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds. His condition is described as not life threatening or life changing.

“Police need to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the vicinity of Durham Road at around 9.45pm.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101. Enquiries are ongoing.