ARMED police have arrested a group of teenage boys on suspicion of firearms offences.

Police were called with reports of a firearms being seen in Highfields Avenue, Dovercourt, shortly after 8pm on Wednesday night.

After an area search officers arrested three teenagers on suspicion of firearms offences and a BB gun was recovered.

The boys, aged 13 and 12, from Dovercourt, and aged 16, from Harwich, are currently in custody.

Darren Deex, Tendring community policing team inspector, said: “We have seized an imitation firearm which has been confirmed as a BB gun and we have received no information to suggest it was fired in public. 

“All our information so far suggests this was ill-advised teenage behaviour rather than anything with wider criminal links.”

A Dovercourt resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she thought the teenagers were driving mopeds and shooting BB guns.

She said: “I’m shocked at how many people thought the police time would be better spent elsewhere.

“BB guns can be dangerous, not to mention the dangerous driving of mopeds.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Clacton on 101.