A house was raided by armed police in the Melbourne area of Chelmsford area after there were reports of a man handling what was believed to be a firearm.

Four police cars and a helicopter were on the scene at around 6pm on Tuesday evening in Langton Avenue and they entered a home on the street.

However, no arrests were made.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Officers were called to an address in Langton Avenue, Melbourne just before 6pm on Tuesday, September 19.

"A man was reported to have been seen with what was believed to have been a firearm.

"Police attended, and a search of the area was conducted.

"No arrests were made, and there is no ongoing risk to the wider public."

Speculation by other media outlets was made to the possibility of the raid being in connection to the murder of John Pordage, but the police want to assure the public that this is not true.

The police spokesman added: "The incident was not linked to the ongoing investigation into the murder of John Pordage."