AN elderly man has been arrested after a haul of weapons and ammunition were found in two houses.

Police were initially called to London Road in Copford on Tuesday morning after receiving a call saying they were concerned for the welfare of the occupant of a house.

But when they went in, officers found a stash of weapons and ammunition.

Another house in Hugh Dickson Road, Colchester, has also been searched as part of police inquiries.

More weapons were found at that address.

Police are now trying to determine whether the weapons are real or imitation.

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed they had arrested a 71-year-old man.

He said: “We were called to reports of concern for welfare on London Road, Copford, just after 10.55am on June 11.

“Officers entered the property and located weapons and ammunition.

“Further inquiries led us to an address at Hugh Dickson Road in Colchester, where we found similar items.

A 71-year-old man from Copford was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms offences and possession of an offensive weapon.

“He has since been released on bail until July 9.

“Our inquiries are on-going to determine whether or not the weapons and ammunition are real or imitation.”

A neighbour who lives near the house in Copford said they had seen police there for close to two full days.

He said: “On Tuesday, the bomb disposal van came and they rushed off with something inside it.

“There have been between eight and ten cars here ever since.

“They were not giving up much information about what had happened but we think they found a hand grenade.

“At one stage somebody overheard one of the people coming out of the house saying what they had found was unbelievable.

“There has been forensic officers there for two days.

“It is pretty worrying for us living here and not really knowing what is happening.”