POLICE were called to a busy road after it was reported someone was spotted with a gun.
Passersby saw a large number of police officers and a riot van in London Road, Stanway, close to the Ocean Fish Bar and a nearby Chinese restaurant Hong Kong Chef between 9pm and 10pm on Monday.
A group of roughly six men and another woman were seen being surrounded by officers, while another witness said she believed she had spotted a firearm.
Officers were seen trying to calm down the group and both the police and the group in question had left the scene within 20 minutes.
A passerby is reported to have told others one of the group had a firearm.
People matching the description of the group had previously been spotted lying in the road on a nearby zebra crossing.
Another witness confirmed police had been seen in the area but described the incident as a misunderstanding and praised police for responding quickly.
Essex Police were contacted for comment on the incident.
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