Police patrols are being stepped up on the streets of Beccles after two separate sightings of a gunman over two days.

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Armed response teams were called at about 8am on Monday after a gunman threatened another man in a car park on Newgate, behind the NatWest bank in the centre of the market town.

The gunman was seen standing in an alleyway when he pointed the gun at the victim, and told him to get into the alley.

He refused and called police and the suspect was seen to run away in the direction of Fair Close.

The offender is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, and of slim buildand was wearing a black beany hat, dark clothes and dark glasses.

Police were still searching for this man 24 hours later when armed police, supported by helicopter and dog units, rushed to the scene of a second possible sighting of a gunman.

It followed a call at 10.10am on Tuesday by members of the public who saw an armed man near The Common.

He was then seen to put what was described as a 'pistol' into his coat and walk away towards Boney's Island.

Areas of the town were secured by police as officers searched the area.

The man was described as being white, aged around 25, approximately 5ft 9in tall, of average build and he was wearing a black jacket.

A witness who gave his name as Dan, who works close to the site of the second incident near George Westwood Way, said: 'It was about 10am. I went into the warehouse and some police turned up. Within 10 minutes there were another eight turned up.

'They just parked in our lorry turning circle. The all got their armed gear on, and dogs out, and they went over to Beccles Common.

'Obviously the other police cars came up, including under cover ones.

'In the end there were five paramedic cars and about 15 police cars. Over half of them were armed. I don't really know what happened.

'It's quite different for Beccles. It's a quiet little town.'

It is not known at this stage whether the two incidents are linked.

Inspector Nicholas Aitkin, of the local policing team, said patrols had been stepped up throughout the town and The Common area.

'Our local team has also visited some businesses in the town to reassure them of our presence.'

He said officers were keeping an open mind but the incidents were not being linked at this stage and the description of the suspects and the nature of the incidents were different.

He added: 'It is a concern, but Beccles is a safe place.'

Mayor of Beccles Hugh Taylor said: 'There is concern on the streets. People are concerned and they don't know what's happening.

'There was a part of The Common which was sectioned off and police outside the bank, so people are worried.

'I have had people saying to me that they would like a bit more information about what is happening, particularly in relation to shopkeepers and whether they need to raise security levels.'

The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the town's Shop Watch scheme on Wednesday evening.

•Have you got a story about Beccles? Email lynn.crombie@archant.co.uk or call 01502 712060.