A manhunt is underway after a gunman fled police following a break-in at a property in Essex.
Officers were called to a home in Stanley Road in Wivenhoe at around 9.30pm on Tuesday, following reports of a burglary.
Despite an extensive search, the man, who “appeared to have a firearm”, has not been located.
Nearby residents reported hearing gunshots on social media and users of a local online forum said they had been instructed to: “stay inside and lock your doors” by police.
HazelH wrote: “I heard two bangs about mins ago from towards the river... stay safe Wivenhoe.”
Some areas of the town were cordoned off and remained so this morning.
One resident told the Essex Chronicle: “I don’t really feel safe this morning knowing that someone is out there with a gun.
“There were people saying last night that he was carrying a shotgun which is incredibly worrying.”
Alex Game told The Standard he saw police circling near the station after he got the train at 1015pm.
He said: “Later when I got home there were police cars sat outside my house for about 15 minutes.
“They then stopped and searched a driver and let him go on.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.