Update: Sunday
DETECTIVES are continuing to work through targeted lines of enquiry as part of our response to an incident in the Seabrook Rise area of Grays.
We responded to reports of an incident taking place last night Saturday 24 May.
We received a number of calls shortly after 7pm, which all reported a confrontation involving two groups of people. A dark-coloured vehicle was also reported as being driven suspiciously in the area.
During that confrontation, witnesses reported hearing what they’ve described as gunshots.
At this stage, no one with injuries consistent with a gunshot have been identified.
However, the reports were taken extremely seriously, and a number of armed units arrived on the scene very quickly.
Officers carried out an extensive search of the area and no one matching the descriptions given in the reports were identified.
Our enquiries are continuing and we’re following a number of fast-paced and targeted lines of enquiry.
Officers remained in the area overnight and that presence will continue throughout today.
Chief Superintendent Scott Egerton, West area local policing commander, said: “This investigation is moving at pace with a number of specific lines of enquiry and it’s only right that we let that continue unobstructed.
“It is also important to say that no victims with injuries in any way consistent with a gunshot have come forward to us or otherwise been identified.
“Nonetheless I of course recognise this incident may have caused concern in the area and it’s likely you’ll see officers patrolling the Seabrook Rise area – as well as in the town centre.
“They are there for your reassurance so if you have any concerns to raise, please don’t hesitate to approach them.”
We continue to appeal for anyone with information or footage of the incident to please come forward and contact us as soon as possible.
You can submit a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our online reporting services.
Alternatively you can call 101.
=====================
Statement from Essex Police; Saturday: “We are responding to reports of an incident taking place in the Seabrook Rise area of Grays this evening, Saturday 24 May.
We received a number of calls from members of the public shortly after 7pm, which all reported a confrontation involving two groups of people. A dark-coloured vehicle was also reported as being driven suspiciously in the area.
During that confrontation, witnesses reported hearing what they’ve described as gunshots.
At this stage, no one with injuries consistent with a gunshot have been identified.
However, the reports were taken extremely seriously, and a number of armed units arrived on the scene very quickly.
Those officers have since carried out an extensive search of the area and no one matching the descriptions given in the reports have been identified.
Our enquiries are continuing and we’re following a number of fast-paced and targeted lines of enquiry
Officers will remain in the area throughout the rest of the evening.
We’ve taken accounts from a number of people who witnessed the incident and reported it to us and we’re appealing for anyone who has information but hasn’t yet spoken to us to please come forward.
This could be first-hand accounts or dashcam and doorbell footage of the incident.
We’d ask anyone with information to get in touch as soon as possible.
You can submit a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our online reporting services.
Alternatively you can call 101.
Please cite incident 1034 of today, 24 May.
If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
