ARMED police swooped on a busy street in Southend town centre after reports a man was seen with a gun.

Witnesses reported hearing shouting in the area around Warrior Square, Southend, yesterday morning.

One man, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: “Our office backs on to the square and we could just hear a man shouting in the street.

“When we looked out the window, there was a man on the floor and two officers were restraining him.

“You could also see what looked like a real hand gun on the bonnet of what must have been an undercover police car.

“It was quite shocking to see something like that happen in the street in the morning.”

Police have confirmed a man was arrested in connection to an incident in Southchurch Road and are now appealing for information.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We have arrested a man after receiving calls of someone seen with a firearm in Southend.

“We were called at around 10.30am today with reports a man was seen with what was described as a gun in Southchurch Road.

“Officers attended and a short time later arrested a 34 year-old man on suspicion of firearms offences and is currently in custody.

“We also seized a gas powered BB gun which had the appearance of a real firearm.

“Incidents like this are rare but would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information about it please call us on 101 quoting incident 323 of April 24.”

It was the second incident involving armed police within 24 hours in the town.

Information can also be passed anonymously through Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555111.

If anyone sees a person carrying a weapon on the streets they should call 999.