Border Force search and rescue mission off the Essex coast

A search and rescue mission is taking place off the coast of Essex.

Border Force officers are urgently responding to an ongoing incident in the sea near the port town of Harwich, the Home Office said.

The Coastguard is co-ordinating the operation, with RNLI boats also said to have been in attendance.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a Coastguard helicopter and a plane were sent to the incident, adding: “HM Coastguard has been co-ordinating a search and rescue response to an incident off Essex, working with Border Force and other partners.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “Border Force and the UK Coastguard are currently working on a coordinated search and rescue operation following an incident on Monday.”

They confirmed more information will be released when the incident has been resolved.

Essex Police and East of England Ambulance Service have also been contacted.