FOUR people have been detained following an incident in Basildon town centre. It has widely been speculated on social meda that the incident, on Town Square near Barclays Bank, involved a stabbing, but so far this has not been confirmed.

An area of town Square has been cordoned off.

An initial statement has been released by Essex Police which says: "We received reports shortly after 3pm today (Tuesday, 4 October) of two people having sustained stab wounds in the St Martins Square area.

"Officers carried out a search of the area and four people have been detained.

"If you have any information or CCTV, dash cam or any other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote incident 704 of 4 October.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am and 9pm.

"Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively you can call us on 101.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.