Six people have now been arrested after armed police were spotted going into a block of flats in Chatham High Street.

At least half a dozen officers wearing masks and shields entered the building at around 3.15pm.

Several police cars and a bomb squad van were sent to the scene.

A spokesman later confirmed: "Officers were in the area of Chatham High Street with Explosive Ordnance Disposal."

Police did not give details about what they were arrested for.

It happened opposite the Silva Tee barbers, whose owner, known as Sham, witnessed the drama.

He said: "Two jeeps turned up and the officers had masks and guns and shields. It happened really quick.

"They went in and all the residents came out.

"I went into town and they were interviewing people already. I think they went in for the arrests."

Odoro Irorakpor was in the shop working as a hairstylist at the time.

She said: "It looked really serious and it was quite scary. They came in with dogs into the building. The bomb squad car turned up after.

"We've never seen anything like it before."

A police spokesman said today: "Six people have now been arrested by officers who are making enquiries in Chatham in connection with an organised crime investigation.

"Officers are carrying out on-going enquiries and searches in the area."

It is not thought the incident is terror-related.