Armed police arrest two men and a woman in St Johns Crescent, Canvey

The incident, which took place in St Johns Crescent, is believed to have been first reported at around 12pm.

Armed police in both marked and unmarked vehicles attended the incident where residents saw many of them carrying weapons.

It is believed that a total of around eight vehicles attended the incident.

One resident, Mr Brown, 36, who was visiting his mother as police arrived said there around eight armed officers at the incident and around six who were unarmed.

He said: “Two men have been arrested by the police earlier today.

“The officers have been into property and searched it for about half an hour, I think looking for fire arms and drugs.

“There were eight armed police officers and six that were not armed.

“It was pretty shocking to see when so many police arrived, but I was not worried as I was in a house, away from it all.”

At around 1pm, it was reported that just two cars remained at the scene.

Following the incident, Essex Police’s Firearms Support Unit attended the incident alongside the marked and unmarked vehicles.

A spokesman for Essex Police FSU, said: “FSU Firearms team attended Canvey today as report of a male in the street with a firearm.

“Officers quickly arrested a male matching the description and then moved onto a house.

“Enquiries are in hand to establish what has taken place.”

An Essex Police spokesman added: "Two men and a woman have been arrested after officers were called to St Johns Crescent, Canvey, following reports of a firearm being seen.

"Armed officers responded to the call which came in just before 11.15am this morning, Sunday, March 4.

"A 27-year-old man from Benfleet was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and a 21-year-old man from Canvey was arrested on suspicion of breaching a court order.

"We are currently on scene conducting further enquiries and have also arrested a woman on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and drugs possession."