by Dan Kerins and Jon Reeve >>

ARMED police swooped on a Southampton home last night after an apparent sighting of a man brandishing a gun.

Officers brandishing machine guns and others carrying riot shields forced their way into an address in Carlton Road, Southampton, which was cordoned off by police from 8.40pm for more than an hour.

They stormed the two storey home opposite St. Anne's School and remained inside for around 25 minutes.

A police dog was also taken inside the property, part of the terrace between Milton Road and Cromwell Road.

There were no reports of any shots being fired or anyone being injured in the incident, although an ambulance was brought to the scene on standby.

The cordon extended from Milton Road to Archers Road, and was lifted just before 10pm.

Dozens of concerned onlookers gathered to watch the drama unfold, with many heading for a night out in the Bedford Place area having to take detours around the cordoned-off zone.

Last night, officers remained on guard outside the property, which is believed to be a shared house lived in by at least two men and two women, after the roads had been reopened.

Stunned neighbours told of their shock at seeing police with guns outside their homes.

"I went into my front room and saw police with shields and guns - they shouted at me to stay inside," said one woman, who asked not to be named.

"It was scary not having a clue what was going on, I want to know if there's anyone still running around."

Another neighbour, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: "We could hear them breaking down the doors in the house.

"It was all a bit surreal. We were just on the floor trying to stay away from the walls because they're paper thin."

Hampshire police refused to comment last night.

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