A mystery gunshot which rang out in the early hours was today being investigated by police.

They admit they are baffled by the bang which was heard over a wide area of Vange and prompted several calls to the emergency services.

For when police arrived at the scene in the area of Hollands Walk, they could find no sign of anything untoward.

Terrified residents had scrambled out of bed and dived for cover after being woken by the gunshot early yesterday morning.

Police rushed to Hollands Walk at 12.50am after several residents cowering under their windows called the emergency services.

One woman in her 50s, who did not wish to be named, said: "I jumped away from the window and the dog was going berserk.

"I was hoping it was just a firework, but when there was only one bang and no smoke I feared the worst and called 999."

A spokeswoman for Basildon Police said: "A unit attended the scene at 12.50am, but nothing was found.

"We are continuing our investigations but are baffled by this incident. We don't know what to make of it, but according to residents it certainly sounded like a gunshot."

Published Tuesday, June 10, 2003

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