ARMED police were called to Walton seafront as part of a search for three men wanted in connection with making threats to kill, false imprisonment and assault.

Residents spotted several vehicles as well as officers from Essex Police’s Firearms Support Unit down near the beach at around 11.30am on Saturday morning.

East Terrace was blocked off temporarily and the police helicopter was spotted hovering over the area.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Officers were in Walton-on-the-Naze on Saturday as part of a search for three men we would like to speak with in connection to allegations of threats to kill, false imprisonment and assault between October 27 and October 31.

"During the search, a 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of drug possession and assisting an offender after a red Citroen Saxo failed to stop when requested to by officers around 11.30am on Saturday, November 3.

"She has been released under investigation."