Arrests after person seen with firearm in car

Armed officers have arrested two people on suspicion of firearms offences.

Essex Police said a man and a woman were arrested following an incident in Shoebury on Friday, where one of two people in a vehicle was seen with a firearm.

A widespread search for the suspects led officers to make arrests in Bournemouth Park Road, Southend on Saturday evening.

The force said: "At no stage were any wider members of the public under any threat."

Ch Supt Stuart Hooper said: "The incident reported to us yesterday remains under investigation and the victims in that case were not injured but understandably shaken.

"At this stage, we are able to say that our current belief is that the incident in Shoebury was contained and took place between people known to each other.

"I know there might be natural concerns, given previous reports in the city over the last months but I do want our community to know that this incident is not connected to them in any way."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.