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Essex lion hunt is serious, say police Essex lion hunt is serious, say police
(12 days later)
Police searching for a lion in Essex say they are taking the hunt seriously.Police searching for a lion in Essex say they are taking the hunt seriously.
The claims of a potentially killer cat on the loose were met with shock and disbelief but Essex police scrambled helicopters with heat-seeking equipment to land around Earls Hall Drive in St Osyth, near Clacton, where the lion was apparently seen.The claims of a potentially killer cat on the loose were met with shock and disbelief but Essex police scrambled helicopters with heat-seeking equipment to land around Earls Hall Drive in St Osyth, near Clacton, where the lion was apparently seen.
Initially police warned residents to stay inside as officers began a search for the unusual target. But they later said residents could go outside.Initially police warned residents to stay inside as officers began a search for the unusual target. But they later said residents could go outside.
A spokesman said: "Public safety is our priority, which is why we are taking the sighting and all associated evidence seriously. We have an increased police presence in the area which will offer reassurance to local residents, motorists and holidaymakers.A spokesman said: "Public safety is our priority, which is why we are taking the sighting and all associated evidence seriously. We have an increased police presence in the area which will offer reassurance to local residents, motorists and holidaymakers.
"We would encourage people to enjoy the bank holiday Monday, indulging in activities as they want to."We would encourage people to enjoy the bank holiday Monday, indulging in activities as they want to.
"For those who wish to take a walk in the countryside surrounding Clacton, then we would just ask them to be extra vigilant and cautious. However, they will probably see us first before they see anything else.""For those who wish to take a walk in the countryside surrounding Clacton, then we would just ask them to be extra vigilant and cautious. However, they will probably see us first before they see anything else."
The police enlisted the help of experts from Colchester Zoo, who believe the sighting to be genuine after viewing a photograph of the creature taken by a resident.The police enlisted the help of experts from Colchester Zoo, who believe the sighting to be genuine after viewing a photograph of the creature taken by a resident.
As well as a heightened police presence and helicopter search, zoo workers said to be armed with tranquilliser guns also joined armed officers.As well as a heightened police presence and helicopter search, zoo workers said to be armed with tranquilliser guns also joined armed officers.
Officers were returning to areas where the animal was apparently spotted on Sunday to search for clues such as paw prints.Officers were returning to areas where the animal was apparently spotted on Sunday to search for clues such as paw prints.
Roger Lord, of Earls Hall Farm, St Osyth, said caravan residents on the farm's land passed police a picture of the suspected lion after photographing it.Roger Lord, of Earls Hall Farm, St Osyth, said caravan residents on the farm's land passed police a picture of the suspected lion after photographing it.
"The first thing we knew about it was a phone call from the police last night," he said."The first thing we knew about it was a phone call from the police last night," he said.
"I am sceptical – I think it might just well be a large domestic cat but they certainly saw something that they were concerned about and they went down the right route to the police."I am sceptical – I think it might just well be a large domestic cat but they certainly saw something that they were concerned about and they went down the right route to the police.
"They have taken it very seriously and have put two helicopters up in the air and I don't know how many armed police that we still have on site now.""They have taken it very seriously and have put two helicopters up in the air and I don't know how many armed police that we still have on site now."
Most of the residents of the caravans were on site at the time of the sighting and more than one person saw it, he said.Most of the residents of the caravans were on site at the time of the sighting and more than one person saw it, he said.
Mystery surrounds where the lion may have come from.Mystery surrounds where the lion may have come from.
Police ruled out Colchester Zoo as all its animals were accounted for. Rumours spread that the lion may have fled a circus performing in the Essex area, but they are yet to be substantiated.Police ruled out Colchester Zoo as all its animals were accounted for. Rumours spread that the lion may have fled a circus performing in the Essex area, but they are yet to be substantiated.
The Great British Circus was based at Clacton airfield but its run in the area ended around a fortnight ago, according to a local events website.The Great British Circus was based at Clacton airfield but its run in the area ended around a fortnight ago, according to a local events website.
Che Kevlin said he heard what he believed to be a roar while out walking his dog on Sunday night.Che Kevlin said he heard what he believed to be a roar while out walking his dog on Sunday night.
"I heard a loud roar at 10pm. It sounded like a lion," he told the BBC. "It was worrying as we had just been for a walk with the dog. We saw the police helicopter but thought it was just searching for a person."I heard a loud roar at 10pm. It sounded like a lion," he told the BBC. "It was worrying as we had just been for a walk with the dog. We saw the police helicopter but thought it was just searching for a person.
"It sounded like the roar of a lion. We have a field and wood just behind our fence, so you never know.""It sounded like the roar of a lion. We have a field and wood just behind our fence, so you never know."
Dave Sparks, who runs the Red Lion pub in St Osyth, described the police hunt as surreal.Dave Sparks, who runs the Red Lion pub in St Osyth, described the police hunt as surreal.
He told ITV News: "You don't really expect to be told there's a lion wandering around the area.He told ITV News: "You don't really expect to be told there's a lion wandering around the area.
"No one really felt there was any immediate danger in the village – a couple of families with young children were a bit worried but after a while they were OK.""No one really felt there was any immediate danger in the village – a couple of families with young children were a bit worried but after a while they were OK."
Last year West Yorkshire police scrambled a helicopter and passengers were prevented from leaving a train after a motorist reported seeing a lion as she drove through Shepley near Huddersfield. A hunt found nothing.Last year West Yorkshire police scrambled a helicopter and passengers were prevented from leaving a train after a motorist reported seeing a lion as she drove through Shepley near Huddersfield. A hunt found nothing.
• We're checking out the Essex lion story. Follow the latest updates here.• We're checking out the Essex lion story. Follow the latest updates here.
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