A SIGNIFICANT number of police officers in multiple vehicles attended a disturbance around the Clarence Road entrance to Grays Town Park this afternoon (Friday, 10 April) between men of the same faith who knew each other.

Ambulance service vehicles also attended but it is believed medical aid was not required.

Officers dealt with a handcuffed man.

The incident is close to the Grays Town Park mosque, which is a particularly busy area on Friday afternoons as worshipers gather for weekly prayers.

A statement from Essex Police says: "Three people have been arrested as part of our response to an incident in Clarence Road, Grays.

"We were alerted to the incident shortly after 2.30pm.

"Officers attended and found a number of people involved in a disturbance. At this stage, three men have been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon."

Chief Inspector Daniel Barnes, Thurrock district commander, added: "There was a large police response to this incident, which I know may have caused concern among the community.

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"We're in the early stages of working through the circumstances around the incident and three men have been arrested and remain in our custody.

"At this stage we believe those involved are known to each other and there appears to be no ongoing threat to our community.

"We'll continue to have a policing presence in the area throughout the evening."