Part of a high street was sealed off as firearms officers descended on the centre of Canterbury.

They were seen swarming St Peter's Street at about 6pm today, before detaining a man on behalf of London force the Metropolitan Police.

Eyewitnesses have told KentOnline that several police cars were in the area near Westgate Towers for about 40 minutes, before leaving the scene after the arrest was made.

A member of staff from a convenience store nearby said: "There were six police four-by-fours and a car.

"They weren't letting people past.

"They were here for a while, arrested a guy and left."

A photograph taken at the scene shows four officers standing at the entrance to the street, close to kebab house Ocakbasi of Kent.

"They were here for a while, arrested a guy and left..."

The boss of city firm Akon Security, Oli Nonis, was driving through St Peter's Place when he saw the drama.

"As I drove past I saw there was an armed-response vehicle parked up and then another pulled in," he added.

"I heard from a colleague there were about eight armed vehicles in total.

"The officers were geared up to the max."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "At around 6pm, armed officers from Kent Police arrested a man in Canterbury high street on behalf of the Metropolitan Police."

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