IN the wake of two days of speculation and rumour fuelled by social media comment, Thurrock's divisional police commander has assured residents in Corringham that they have nothing to fear.

Yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May) and today there have been a number of social media posts, some including pictures of a local man, suggesting he has been wandering around aggressively and had threatened some people with a knife or sword.

Thurrock Nub News has received several mesages from concerned residents, including parents of children at Corringham Primary School, where the man was reported to be in the vicinity this morning.

However, Chief Inspector Tony Atkin has played down fears and he told Nub News: "We are aware of rumours circulating relating to a man in Corringham seen with a knife.

"We have received a number of reports as well as seeing several posts about it on social media.

"I know people are concerned by these reports and I want reassure you that we have looked into them.

"However, we have not found evidence of someone with a knife, and have not found evidence of a situation which matches what is being reported online.

"We have identified the person shown within the social media posts and spoken to them, and no criminal offences have been identified.

"My officers are, and will continue to, carry out patrols in the area to provide some additional reassurance and ensure the area is safe."

Nub News understands that the man previously identified on the social media posts, and who some people incorrectly believed was the reported missing Purfleet man Andrew Kurt, is a local man who has some dementia issues, but who is capable of being out and about and does enjoy fishing at local lakes.

It is our understanding that he is the victim of malicious postings by young people, which have then escalated into wider comment fuelling misinterpretation of the issue.

Meanwhile the search continues for 61-year-old Mr Kurt, who hasn't been seen since last Wednesday (15 May). Police have confirmed he is not the man seen in the posted pictures from Corringham.