Southampton: What we know as armed police raided a house

Weston Lane was partially closed as multiple officers stormed a property opposite a row of shops following reports of an armed man on Weston Grove Road at around 11.50am.

Police said they entered the flats and seized a BB gun – calling it an ‘imitation firearm.’

A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and was spotted in handcuffs by shoppers at the scene.

A retail worker, who wished to remain unnamed, said that the police raid was ‘very close’ to their shop, but they had not heard prior reports of a man with a gun on another road.

READ MORE: Armed police spotted in Southampton with road blocked - as it happened

“We were all a bit shocked and stayed inside when we saw guns come out,” the worker said.

“I just saw loads of police and almost panicked when I saw they were holding guns.”

Police cars blocked a portion of the road before and after the raid. (Image: Supplied) Two police cars remained on the scene after the arrest as another three officers wearing plastic gloves entered the building around 2.20pm.

A Cavell Place resident told the Echo while waiting for a bus that she could ‘just about’ see the armed police as the flats they entered were ‘almost opposite’ her house.

”We were all watching out of our windows and so were other people on the street,” she said.

”There were a good few people watching near the roadblock too.”

She called the situation ‘silly stuff’ but was happy that - as far as she knew - nobody has hurt.

Police partially closed Weston Lane just after the junction with Camley Close, up to the road’s turning with Barnfield Road.

Armed police were spotted by shoppers standing outside the front door of the block of flats. (Image: Jo Anne) Bluestar’s route 17 buses were forced to terminate services early as their access to Weston estate was blocked.

READ MORE: Police statement as armed police seize imitation gun in Weston

The man was said to have held a firearm while walking through Weston Grove Road – a 15-minute walk away from Weston Lane.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “We were called at around 11.50am this morning (Wednesday 11 December) with reports of a man with a firearm on Weston Grove Road in Southampton.

“Specialist officers attended and a located an imitation firearm (BB gun), which has been seized.

“A 43 year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate. 

“He remains in police custody at this time and enquiries are ongoing.”