ESSEX Police have issued a statement to say officers are "working round the clock" to catch suspects of a robbery and a firearms incident. 

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Worron has released a statement after a firearms incident in Stanley Road, Wivenhoe, last night, where police are still searching for a man believed to have had a gun.

He also referred to a robbery of a security van outside Asda in Highfields Road, Witham, this morning, where a gang believed to be armed with a shotgun stole hundreds of thousands of pounds.  No arrests have been made in either case.

Mr Worron said: "I am aware that the people of Wivenhoe and Witham, and the wider Essex public, will be concerned at these two incidents involving firearms.

"In the case of the Wivenhoe incident, we have no information to suggest that the individual we are seeking poses a risk to members of the public. We would ask residents to be vigilant and alert, but not alarmed and to go about their daily business as usual.

"In relation to the armed robbery in Witham, we understand this was frightening for those involved and the members of the public present, however again we have no information to suggest that the men responsible pose any further threat to the public.

"We have significant resources dedicated to locating and arresting the men in both incidents including specialist detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Directorate.

"Our teams investigating both incidents will be working around the clock to bring those responsible into our custody and to justice.

"And in the case of the Witham armed robbery our detectives have already recovered the vehicle believed to have been involved and are making fast progress in catching those responsible.

"If anyone has any information about either incident then please contact Essex Police on 101. However if you believe you are in immediate danger or see anything suspicion then contact us immediately by calling 999."