Detectives who specialise in firearm discharges have launched an investigation into reports of gunshots in Hornchurch, three weeks after armed officers were first called to the street.
The new inquiry concerns Maygreen Crescent, where specialist firearms officers and a police dog unit were sent on the evening of 15 October after reports that gunshots had been heard.
At the time, officers carried out a thorough search of the area. The Metropolitan Police said then that there was no evidence any shots had been fired, and no injuries were reported.
On that basis, the force said no investigation would be opened — but left the door open to revisiting the incident if fresh information came to light. That position has now changed.
Police say new evidence has since been put forward, and the incident is now being investigated by detectives who specialise in firearm discharges and gun recovery. The nature of that evidence has not been disclosed.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and enquiries are ongoing. Police are treating the incident as isolated.
Detective Inspector Charlie Leather, who is leading the investigation, said he understood the incident would have caused concern locally, and reassured residents that specialist detectives are now handling the case. Officers are carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries in the area.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 6387/15OCT26. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The distinction matters for residents: the investigation is into reports of gunshots, and police have not said that shots have now been confirmed. What has changed is that the new evidence was enough to move the incident from a closed response to an active detective inquiry.
That sequence — an armed response with no evidence found, followed weeks later by a specialist investigation — is unusual, and it explains why the case has returned to public attention three weeks on. Officers will be looking for anything that can establish what, if anything, was discharged on the night, and whether any weapon or casing can be recovered.
For now, the appeal is the practical next step: CCTV from homes and cars around Maygreen Crescent on the evening of 15 October, and any information from people who were in the area at around 7.05pm, could help detectives piece together what happened.
What is known: armed officers and a dog unit searched Maygreen Crescent on 15 October after gunshot reports; no evidence of shots fired and no injuries were found at the time; new evidence has since led specialist detectives to open an investigation; no arrests have been made.
What is not yet known: what the new evidence is; whether any shots have now been confirmed; whether any weapon has been recovered; and whether anyone has been identified in connection with the reports.
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