ARMED POLICE have raided a Southampton address as part of a major firearms operation.
Residents say around 20 police officers, some armed and wearing riot gear, swooped on an address in Landguard Road.
Emergency services had received reports of a man armed with a gun during the incident at around 2.30pm yesterday.
Witnesses reported being scared and shocked as officers rushed to the scene.
Residents were “ordered to go inside” while a woman who wished to remain unnamed said how police with guns poised, surrounded the house.
A cordon was set up with Landguard Road blocked off at its junctions with Arthur Road and Atherley Road.
Officers reportedly dragged a man from a house and handcuffed him on the ground.
Police cars remained on the scene for much of the afternoon while officers carried out investigations.
A 19-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy have since been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm.
However, it has been revealed that the firearm is believed to be a BB gun.
One neighbour said: “I was a bit scared as we don’t often see police with firearms so I knew it must be something serious.
“The police wouldn’t let us leave our houses and I went into my garden at one point which is next door to theirs and there was a police officer pointing a gun at their house.
“He who told me to go back inside.
“The whole thing went on for well over an hour. I heard them shouting “police” from inside the building.”
A police spokesperson said: “We were called just before 2pm on Wednesday, May 20 to a report of a man with a firearm in Landguard Road.
“Officers attended and the man was located, with what is believed to be a BB gun. A 19-year-old man and 13-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm.”
Anyone with any information or who witnessed the incident is urged to contact police on 101 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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