Explosion explained as RAF jet 'sonic boom'

Library image of an RAF jet flying over a residential area Credit: Reuters

In fact, the racket was caused by RAF jets when they broke the speed of sound.

An Essex police spokesman said there were several reports of sonic booms in the county "caused by military aircraft engaged in routine operations."

Twitter users took to the social media site after the noise:

The Ministry of Defence said it was caused when the jets were responding to another aircraft which lost communication.

A spokesman said the jets soon established "everything was fine" with the aircraft.