"Screaming" noises could be heard by families in Wickford, but police could not identify where it was coming from.

Essex Police has confirmed officers were called to sounds of screaming coming from a home on Nevendon Road on Monday evening, but could not find anything untoward going on.

Residents nearby had questioned whether the screaming had come from a person, when foxes often make similar noises nearby.

A spokesman from the force, said: “We were called at around 11.15pm yesterday, Monday 25 April, by someone reporting they had heard what they believed to be a scream.

They reported it may have come from an address in Nevendon Road, Wickford, but were unable to give a precise location.

“We carried out checks in the area, which were negative.

“We have not received any other emergency reports from the area described.”