POLICE have arrested a man in the Abbeydale area of Redditch after receiving reports that someone had been seen with what was believed to be a firearm.

Officers were alerted at about 9.15pm on Wednesday, March 5 and armed police were deployed. The operation, which also included use of the force helicopter and dog handlers, was focused on the area between Meadowhill Road and Sedgley Close.

Detective Inspector Leighton Harding of North Worcestershire CID said: “The incident was resolved peacefully at around 11.20pm when a 24-year-old man was arrested in Sedgley Close on suspicion of firearms offences. He remains in custody at Kidderminster Police Station where he is being questioned by our officers.

“During the incident our prime concern was to ensure the safety of the public and as a precaution residents were advised to stay indoors.”

He added that no weapons have yet been recovered but the investigation is ongoing

Police are investigating links between the incident and another which happened a little earlier, just before 9pm, in Batchley Road.

A window was smashed at an address there and there was a disturbance outside involving a number of people.

Det Insp Harding said: “We want to talk to anyone who either witnessed what happened in Batchley Road or the later incident which started in Meadow Hill Road.

"In particular we want to trace three young men who spoke to our officers in parkland off Easemore Road as we believe they may have information that could be useful to our investigation.”

Anyone with information can call detectives at Redditch Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting the incident reference 671-S-050314.

Details may also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.