Armed police raided a house in Braintree this morning. 

The Times' was contacted by a member of the public who witnessed several police officers with firearms outside a home in Twelve Acres at about 7.50am.

He said: "I realised they all had huge rifles and guns.

"I was walking and they shouted: 'Don't come any closer, stay back.'

"I must have got there just when they started.

"The cars kept building up and they were banging on the door, but nothing was really happening. 

"There was a little boy inside who looked terrified when it opened then the police went in."

Update 3.40pm

A spokesman for Essex police said: "We were called shortly before 7am this morning, November 14, to reports of a man seen with what was believed to have been a firearm in Twelve Acres, Braintree. 

"Officers attended and carried out a search of the area, but no firearm was found."