POLICE have arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of making threats to kill after reports emerged he was carrying a firearm at an address in Colchester.

Armed officers attended an address in East Street at 5.55pm on Thursday and detained a man who attempted to evade police.

Incident - a dog unit was stationed in East Street, Colchester, on Thursday eveningIncident - a dog unit was stationed in East Street, Colchester, on Thursday evening (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Two police cars, including a dog unit, were stationed on East Street and a third vehicle drove down Gunn Lane at about 7.20pm, as first reported by the Gazette.

An armed officer was then stationed on the junction between Moorside and Gunn Lane whilst two other officers attended an address.

The armed officer then accompanied them to the address at about 7.25pm.

Response - armed officers walk down Gunn Lane to attend an addressResponse - armed officers walk down Gunn Lane to attend an address (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Essex Police said they deployed armed officers following reports the suspect claimed to be in possession of a firearm.

After searching the area the suspect’s vehicle was identified and, as they tried to evade officers on foot, he was detained.

No firearm was found at the scene and the 33-year-old from Colchester is now in custody after being arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill.

Aftermath - a police car is driven out of Gunn LaneAftermath - a police car is driven out of Gunn Lane (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

An Essex Police spokesman said the force is now continuing its investigation.

Inspector Stuart Rawlings said: “I’d like to reassure those that saw our officers in Colchester that we believe this is an isolated incident.

“We deploy our firearms officers to ensure we contain a situation as quickly and effectively as possible, as we did in this case.

“We take threats of this nature very seriously, and a man is now in custody as a result.

Presence - two police cars previously on the scene in East Street were then positioned at Greenstead Community Centre in Hawthorne AvenuePresence - two police cars previously on the scene in East Street were then positioned at Greenstead Community Centre in Hawthorne Avenue (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

“Our investigative colleagues will now take this forward to make sure this investigation is conducted quickly and effectively.”

Police vehicles later made their way to an address in St Andrew’s Avenue, Alefounder Close, and Hawthorne Avenue, though it is not known whether their presence was related to the incident in East Street.

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