Armed police have been involved in a major operation which saw six people arrested following swoops on properties around the Norwich area, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, and Rackheath.

Officers from Norfolk Constabulary searched a property in Denmark Opening in Sprowston at around 9am. A second address in the coastal town was also searched.

The investigation also saw a dramatic incident on Barrack Street at around 1pm when a man was surrounded by armed officers before being led away. Police also towed away a Mercedes car from the scene, which appeared to have a dent in its right hand side.

The scene was witnessed by users of the nearby Greens gym on the opposite side of the road.

One woman who did not want to be named, said: 'We saw him standing there with police pointing guns at his head.'

Police said the arrests were part of an ongoing operation but would give no further details.

A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman said that four men and one woman have been arrested in connection with the investigation. A fifth man has also been arrested in the wake of the swoop on an unrelated matter.

A Norfolk police spokesman said: 'Armed officers have executed search warrants at various addresses in Norwich and Gorleston as part of an ongoing investigation.'

Did you see what happened? Contact reporter Shaun Lowthorpe on 01603 772471 or email shaun.lowthorpe@archant.co.uk