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Police armed with weapons were dispatched to a residence in Southend-on-Sea following reports of gunshots on Saturday, only to find out the sound originated from a video game.

Officers equipped with face coverings – one holding a chainsaw – were summoned around 3:35 pm along with paramedics and an air ambulance following a report from a member of the public who heard gunshots and the cry, “I’ve been shot,” coming from an apartment.

However, those who were ready to break into the house discovered the sound originated from a gamer playing Call of Duty with high-volume speakers.

A first-person shooter game, launched in 2003, mimics combat scenarios, incorporating elements inspired by actual military operations.

It is recognized that the 999 call reporting the disturbance was placed with sincere worry.

Essex Police stated that no weapons were involved and they withdrew, but the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance had already reached Bournes Green Park nearby in readiness for an urgent medical transport if required.

The force mentioned it was referred to as “concerns about a person who may have been injured by a firearm” and that armed officers “promptly arrived at the location.”

However, officers quickly stated that no weapons were found and no one had been injured.

Last August, a 16-year-old youth was held down by officers when an imitation weapon caused concerns about a potential ‘mass shooter’ in the neighborhood.

However, the Metropolitan Police later rejected assertions that the boy was an “attempted mass shooter” as reported on social media, and thought he might have been heading to a nearby comic book convention.

In 2016, Surrey Police deployed armed officers to a café in southwest London following a report from a bystander who claimed to have seen weapons inside.

Three officers armed with guns arrived to find that Hussar’s Coffee House in Hampton Wick was serving as a film location.

Essex Police deployed its armed response team in approximately 14,000 situations throughout the previous year — during which time 336 individuals were taken into custody.

However, the unit has not fired in public for over ten years, following an incident in 2015 when a suspect was injured in the leg and subsequently taken into custody.

It was the first instance in over 30 years.

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