ARMED police have arrested two people in Southend after a firearm was seen in a vehicle. 

Essex Police made the arrests in Bournemouth Park Road, Southend, today in response to an incident in Shoebury yesterday. 

During that incident, it was reported that two people were in a vehicle, one of whom was seen with a firearm.

Police attended the reports of a firearm being seen yesterday but no arrests were made.

Armed police were spotted in Bournemouth Park Road at roughly 4.30pm this afternoon and the road was closed near South Avenue and Central Avenue.

A man and a woman were both arrested and remain in custody for questioning. 

Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper said: “We appreciate the policing presence in the area this afternoon will have caused concern. This was not a live incident, and our assessment was – and remains – that there was no threat to anyone in the area.

“A man and a woman have been arrested and will be questioned on suspicion of firearm offences.”

Chief Supt Hooper added: “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.

“At no stage were any wider members of the public under any threat.”