Armed police were put on standby and a playground evacuated after reports of a shotgun being fired in a Southend street.

Officers surrounded Temple Court, Pantile Avenue, concerned that a gunman could be holding hostages inside after a two women and man inside refused to answer the door to a flat.

Police said there had been a "violent domestic" in which a full length mirror had been smashed. They believe the noise from this may have been mistaken by neighbours for a gun shot. It later emerged there was no gun inside.

Pantile Avenue was cordoned off for more than 90 minutes and the playground in Cluny Square, where children were playing, was immediately evacuated.

More than 20 officers, at least eight armed, prepared themselves for the possibility that a gunman could be holding hostages.

Inspector Martin Parkin, of Southend police, said: "You have to be fully prepared, if you are not, then that is when people get hurt.

"Had they opened the door when we first called it would not have been necessary to deploy an armed response unit."

A man was later arrested and was due to be questioned on other unrelated matters. It is not thought any charges will be brought in connection with Tuesday's incident.

A local resident said: "Police with dogs were keeping people away and we had to drive all the way round the estate to get back home to our house.

"Lots of people were saying that there was a man in the flat with a gun who was keeping a woman hostage.

"There were at least ten police cars and some officers were all in black, with bulletproof vests and carrying long guns like snipers.

"I've never seen anything like it in the five years I've lived around here."

Gun fears - police officers put on bulletproof vests as they prepare to deal with the incident in Pantile Avenue

Picture: ANDY PALMER

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