Armed police arrest woman in dressed as Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games after bow and arrow drama in Eastleigh

Officers armed with guns and others carrying riot shields were deployed to the scene following a 999 call in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Neighbours living in the usually quiet Nutbeem Road, in Eastleigh, told how ten police vehicles arrived just before 1am.

Eyewitnesses told how police then entered a block of flats on the corner of the road at its junction with Blenheim Road, carrying guns and with police dogs on leads.

It is understood the woman lived in a flat inside the block and was dragged, shouting, from the premises by officers.

The Daily Echo was told by witnesses that the woman had the bow and arrow as part of a fancy dress costume, thought to be based on Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games.

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in the Hunger Games

They described how arrows had been fired into the fence that backs on to an alleyway that runs behind local homes.

One resident said they had found an arrow propped up in the alleyway, which they planned to hand in to police.

The Daily Echo understands the bow was a 2.5ft camouflage-coloured hunting compound bow and that three arrows were missing.

The woman who sparked the drama was said to be wearing black gloves and a hunter’s jacket at the time.

A man, who asked not to be named, said he raised the alarm and called 999 amid concerns that a woman was carrying a lethal weapon.

He said he overheard officers saying afterwards that if fired at police it could have been fatal.

Fortunately nobody was injured in the incident.

But yesterday residents living near where the incident happened told of their shock as they watched it unfold.

John Flair, 28, said: “I heard lots of shouting and screaming and looked out the window after it stopped and there were loads of police.

“It’s quite surprising hearing someone was running around with a bow and arrow.”

Helen Martin, 40, who lives nearby, said: “My son said he’d seen police with guns and riot gear.

“He said that someone had a crossbow and that she was screaming as they were arresting her.”

Michelle Smith, 42, said: “I have never heard of anything like that before. It’s concerning, as I have got kids.”

Last night Hampshire police confirmed that a 21-year-old woman from Eastleigh was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

She has been arrested on suspicion of affray and was last night being questioned by police.