Two water pistols were seized after an emergency response to a town centre.

Armed police were called to Week Street in Maidstone, opposite KFC, at around 2.45pm to reports a person was seen with a weapon.

Pictures and videos from the scene showed multiple vehicles and officers with a police helicopter overhead.

The force swarmed the “lawless” part of the town centre after inital reports suggested someone was in possession of a handgun.

Two teenage girls were arrested and two water pistols seized by the force.

A police spokesman said: “The initial call made to us described a person as being in possession of what appeared to resemble a handgun.

“A similar description was received via town centre CCTV operators.

“Upon inspection by attending officers, two items seized were confirmed as water pistols. The two people arrested were released from custody later that evening.”

A video of large crowds appearing to show someone be arrested next to Payden’s pharmacy was shared online.

The area where the incident happened has been criticsed before by shop owners and councillors as being lawless.

It has gathered a notorious reputation over the past few years for anti-social behaviour and incidents.