Armed police stormed a residential street this afternoon following reports a man had a gun.

At least eight patrol cars and firearms teams descended on Richmond Street, Sheerness at around 4pm.

Officers were seen leading a man in handcuffs out of an alleyway opposite the Family Fish Bar and Kebab House.

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Patrol cars were parked all along the street and neighbours said there was a "heavy" armed response.

Officers were initially called to Thorn Hill Road in Warden to reports a man was "in possession of weapons".

They eventually caught up with the suspect eight miles away, in Richmond Street, where he was taken into custody.

VIDEO: Armed police in Richmond Street, Sheerness

One witness, who asked not to be named, said armed officers arrived within six minutes of it being reported that a suspect had a gun in the alleyway.

He continued: "My partner was walking home from work and tried to use the alleyway as a shortcut.

"Police wouldn't let her down the alleyway though and told her to walk round. That's when she called me and I went down there.

"I know it sounds silly but I thought it was a terror attack. I don't know the man. You don't think something is going to happen like this."

Another witness, who was at a nearby corner shop, has told how she was paying when she heard several screams of "armed police".

She said: "I heard it was something to do with guns but I don't know the bloke. To be honest my kids were petrified; it's not the sort if thing you expect to see here.

"It's more like something that would happen in London."

She estimated the whole situation lasted around 20 minutes.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 2.36pm on Wednesday 15 June to a report of a man in possession of weapons near Thorn Hill Road, Warden.

"No threats were reported to have been made.

"Firearms officers were deployed and attended the location.

"Officers arrested a man in Richmond Street, Sheerness.

"He is in custody and enquiries are ongoing."