Armed police and dog units flooded a quiet street after a car crash led to reports that a man was armed with a gun.

Police raced to Anson Chase, Shoebury, at about 4.45pm on Sunday after concerned residents said a fight had broken out.

It is believed two cars crashed into each other sparking the road rage incident.

One car crashed through a resident’s fence and stopped inches from the front room.

A police spokesman said: “Officers received calls that two sets of people were fighting after two vehicles collided.

“Police also received reports that the people were armed with weapons with one man carrying what was believed to be a firearm.

“One vehicle drove away from the scene and two men, who were reported as having head injuries, ran from the scene on foot. Officers attended but were unable to find the suspects.”

Witnesses reported that the group of four men were fighting with various weapons, including machetes and hammers, and that one of the cars was forcefully rammed down the street by the other car and ended up on a resident’s lawn.

The homeowner, who was not in and has asked to remain anonymous said: “I came home at about 9pm and saw all the broken glass all over the road.

“My fence was in bits on the pavement and I had a note from the police through my door.

“My neighbours said that there had been some kind of altercation up the road by the flats and that it ended up with the car crashing down here.

“My main concern when I got home was whether they had hit the wall or not because it could have caused some serious structural damage.

“I’ve lived here since January and nothing like this has ever happened before.”

Residents said the road was closed off for hours while a forensic examination took place.

Alan Richards, 45, who lives near Anson Chase, was heading home when he saw the aftermath of the incident.

He said: “I was quite alarmed at first because there was armed police all over the road.

“Anson Chase was completely closed off from the Eagle Way end and there were officers with guns walking round.

“I had no idea what had happened but assumed it was serious because of the sheer severity of the response from the police.”

Another resident, who has lived in Anson Chase for more than 30 years, said: “I didn’t know anything about it until I went to draw my curtains and saw all the flashing lights.

“There was a car being examined by police - they were taking pictures before it was carried away by a lorry.

“It doesn’t really worry me because it happens everywhere - it just seems to be getting worse and worse.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southend police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.