Fresh knife crime fears were sparked after a huge emergency services presence descended on North Road, Westcliff.

Images from the scene show a large number of police cars and ambulances at the scene yesterday evening, close to the Blackdown Flats, as well as an air ambulance which landed in the playing field of the Milton Hall School.

Rumours of another knife-related incident circulated as police cordons were put in place at the scene, and at the corner of North Road and Tudor Road, known locally as Butcher’s Corner.

Essex Police have confirmed that a knife was involved, however rumours of a stabbing were untrue.