A young woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when she was held at gunpoint in her own home

Her boyfriend had managed to flee the house, in St John's Street, Colchester, last night and alert the police. A handgun and an axe have been recovered.

The robbery sparked a major police search across Colchester last night with a number of armed police on the streets. The Essex Police helicopter also took part in the search.

A police spokesman said: "Police responded to a telephone call from a man at 8.35pm who reported he had escaped from his home where his 22-year-old girlfriend was being held by armed men and had been hit on the head.

"Police found the girlfriend alone at the house. The woman was taken to hospital as a precaution but did not need treatment."

The spokesman added that police had taken possession of a handgun, a bullet and an axe.

There is no evidence that anything had been stolen from the couple.

Late last night, a car collided with a metal lamp post outside an office block in Causton Road.

Four men were arrested in the North Station Road area of town. They are all from the London area. Two are aged 24, one 23 and the other 32. They were due to be questioned by police today in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously,on 0800 555111

Published Tuesday, April 15, 2003

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