ARMED response officers descended on Frinton as police carried out a series of raids.

Essex Police carried out the searches at a number of addresses around Frinton and Walton today.

Officers are responding to threats made to a man in Frinton on Wednesday, October 31.

A 21-year-old man has already been arrested and remains in custody.

A shocked witness spotted the "fully equipped" officers in Connaught Avenue at around 1.30pm.

She said: "I was driving down Connaught Avenue towards the gates when we saw police cars, vans, everything.

"They were also down where Harold Road is, around the back of the card factory shop.

"They had masks on and were fully equipped.

"I didn't expect to see it, it is usually just old biddies doing their shopping."

A worker at Piatto, in Connaught Avenue, arrived for work to find police raiding a flat above the Italian restaurant.

The member of staff, who asked not to be named, said: "There were around six police cars and armed police.

"I couldn't get into the restaurant.

"They have been looking in the flat above the restaurant.

"There was excitement, it was shocking to see.

"I believe the guys in the flat run a business in Frinton."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are carrying out warrants as part of an investigation into threats made to a man in Frinton on Wednesday, October 31.

"A 21 year-old man has already been arrested in connection with the investigation."