Two teenage girls from Essex who were reported missing on Monday have been found “safe” in Ipswich today.

Amy Phillips, 15, from Halstead, and Olivia Nicholls-Barr, 14, from Braintree, were discovered inside a property in Birkfield Drive this afternoon.

A spokesman for Essex Police has confirmed the girls are “safe”.

Witnesses have reported a heavy police presence in Birkfield Drive, with a forensics team also on scene.

Both girls were reported missing to Essex Police at around 8.30am on April 17.