A “GUN” was pointed out a car window - sparking a high speed chase with three police cars and a helicopter in pursuit.

Three arrests were made following the incident, which initially saw police called to Southchurch Avenue in Southend at roughly 4.30pm on Tuesday.

But the pursuit saw officers led across the borough, with residents in Leigh reporting two marked and one unmarked police car pursuing the suspects.

A police helicopter was also seen in the area, with it hovering over the Eastwood area during the chase.

Officers managed to track down the car and three men were arrested.

Councillors had praise for officers for their swift action in making the arrests, as well as avoiding any injury to the public or those involved.

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for community safety said: “This is a very serious incident and we don’t want to see anything like this on our streets in the borough.

“I want to say well done to the police for their quick work on this and I am glad to see there’s been quick arrests.

“The police and council are doing all they can to reduce these incidents but we have to have the resources to do this.”

Two men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including suspicion of possession of a firearm, possession of a knife, theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop when directed and possession with intent to supply.

A third man in his 20s was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle.

The three men were still in police custody at the time the Echo went to print yesterday evening.

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