Police responded in force after a bag of firearms was found in a woodland off London Road in Ewell last night (February 5).

Sightings of police helicopters circling woods near Nonsuch Park were reported on social media as police remained where the items were found into Thursday afternoon (February 6).

A spokesperson for the Epsom and Ewell contingent of Surrey Police described the ongoing police response:

"We are currently in attendance in woodland off London Road, Ewell following a report of firearms being found in a bag.

"A member of the public reported the find at 7.30pm yesterday (Feb 5).

"Officers were in the area last night and continue to be on scene today.

"The items will be fully examined in due course to establish if they are usable," the spokesperson said.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Commander Joe Easterbrook said his team were taking the situation "extremely seriously":

"We have had specialist officers in the area to recover the bag and items and will continue to have a presence there today.

"We are taking this incident extremely seriously and want to reassure the public that although this is concerning, it is a highly unusual in Ewell and Surrey.

"We have had no recent reports of firearms being used, or heard that these items could relate to," Easterbrook said.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police on 101 and quote the reference number PR/45200014698, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.