Armed police have stormed a city tower block in a series of raids connected to a murder investigation.
Residents of Hampton Towers were woken by loud bangs in the early hours of this morning.
They were ordered back into their flats by officers with 'large guns' when they went to inspect the commotion.
Three Southampton men, aged 20, 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder following police stings at two properties on International Way and another in Bursledon Road.
It comes following the death of a man in his 60s in Warburton Road on Saturday.
READ MORE: Police set up mobile station after murder
One Hampton Towers resident, who wished to remain unnamed, said: "We went to sleep and before 12am we were woken up by loud bangs, which we thought were bins.
"We looked outside our door and saw police with large guns.
"We were told to go back in our flat.
"It does surprise us and we did not expect it. We thought it was drug-related.
She added: "The police have got to get the person who did this, and I hope they have. I am concerned and worried now.
"I am so frightened. We have lived here three years and something like this has never happened this close to home. I don’t want to live here anymore. It’s awful."
UPDATE: Three men arrested on suspicion of murder after man's death
Another woman, 34, said: "It’s scary to think someone here could be linked to the investigation. It’s frightening."
One witness, a 31-year-old man, said: "It’s come as a shock that someone from here has been arrested. We could've been in a lift with them. It’s quite frightening really."
At the time of writing the three men are in police custody.
Officers have been carrying out enquiries in the Thornhill area of the city since the early hours of Saturday.
A mobile police station has been set up on Warburton Road with officers in the area to address any concerns residents have since the man's alleged murder.
READ MORE: Police return to murder scene two days after man's death
DCI Dal Andrews, who is leading the murder probe has said that police are 'working around the clock' to find out what happened.
Witnesses and anyone with information are urged to contact police by calling 101 and quoting crime reference number 44230077698.
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