SHOCKED residents were left terrified after armed police “locked down” a street near Southend seafront and “pointed weapons at a house” in a raid over suspected drug activity.

Officers acting on intelligence raided the property in Hartington Road, near Southend seafront, shortly after 2pm on Wednesday.

Essex Police has confirmed armed officers were deployed to search a property on the road but no arrests were made.

One resident told the Echo he saw “weapons pointing towards a house”.

He said: “The road was locked down, the police had weapons pointing towards a house and some armed officers came from the back of the house.

“To start with, I was worried and quite surprised as you don’t expect the see this sort of things happening.

“But it’s good to see the police being proactive in the community.”

Matt Dent, Kursaal ward Labour councillor, said: “It’s always concerning, and I completely understand residents feeling surprised and worried about seeing armed police.

“I echo the resident and do commend the police for being proactive and taking swift action.

“Everyone should take reassurance that they’re taking action on where intelligence points them and being in the community to keep people safe.

“It’s exactly what we want to see.”

Essex Police has a number of teams dedicated to tackling drugs and the high harm they cause in the community, including the disruptor and op raptor teams, as well as the serious and organised crime unit.

In October, the force revealed that more than 1,000 people arrested in Essex have been referred to specialist drugs workers in the past six months.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Officers acting on intelligence received over potential drug activity executed a warrant at an address in Hartington Road, Southend, shortly after 2pm on Wednesday, November 8.

“A search was conducted inside.

“No arrests were made but enquiries continue.”