A man has been charged after armed police raided a block of flats following reports of a man walking around an estate with a firearm.

Police received reports of an armed man on Weston Grove Road at around 11.50am and partially closed Weston Lane to storm a property opposite a row of shops shortly after.

Sniffer dogs and multiple armed officers were in attendance as an imitation firearm - a BB gun - was seized.

Craig Wesley Mintram, 43, of Weston Lane, has now been charged with possession of an imitation firearm in a public place.

READ MORE: What we know after armed police raided flats to seize 'imitation' firearm

He is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court today (Thursday 12 December).

A retail worker said 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.

“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.”