WITNESSES have spoken of their shock after armed police were called to a property in Colchester today.

The drama unfolded in East Street at about 5.15pm.

Witnesses reported seeing armed police breaking down the door of a property in the street, near the junction with Ipswich Road, not far from the railway level crossing.

East Street was cordoned off by police officers.

One man told the Gazette: “They blocked off the road – everyone had to leave.
“I’m not sure what happened, but the road was cordoned off and there were armed police.

“It was someone’s house. They kicked the door down or used whatever they use.

“It happened a couple of hours ago and there is still a police presence, but the road is back open.”

One shopworker in East Street said the road had been closed for about two hours, but was open again by 7.30pm.

They said: “They stopped the road. No one could go there for two hours.

“I heard the police took a gun, but I don’t know what happened.”

Another witness said: "Charlie’s bar is on a lockdown as someone was shot with a crossbow and armed police have just taken over. No one is allowed in or out. CID have turned up." 

Further details of the incident remain unclear, but there were further unconfirmed reports that there had been an incident involving a crossbow.

Essex Police has been appraoched for comment.