ARMED police swooped on a house in Norwich Road arresting several people as officers raided the property.

Eyewitnesses told of a silent approach by police vans and patrol cars as the force’s helicopter hovered overhead.

Police arrived at the Victorian semi-detached property, opposite a row of shops including the Co-op, Frydays and the Emperor Inn, at around 8pm.

One onlooker said he spotted patrol cars in the area earlier in the day with two arriving around an hour before the “cavalry arrived”.

Gideon Howe, who lives nearby, said: “It was a silent approach, no sirens, just the lights.

“I live so close I would’ve heard sirens blaring.

“I had been out to walk the dog and noticed two cars across the road about an hour beforehand.

“Being nosy, I just looked out my window when I heard the helicopter overhead. That’s when I saw the lights, the cavalry had arrived.

“There were a load of armed police surrounding the house.”

The 33-year-old said a group of men and women were led out of the property into waiting police vans.

“Officers spent some time inside the house after the vans had driven off, you could see lights sweeping the place,” he added.

Another eyewitness, Stuart Hawes, 25, who lives opposite the turning to Broom Hill Road, added: “I saw at least one person get taken away.

“I have never seen anything like it on my doorstep.

“There were armed police shouting ‘armed police, armed police’ at the house. It was crazy.”

Speaking last night a Suffolk police spokeswoman said: “Police carried out an operation this evening at an address in Norwich Road and as a result have detained a number of people who are being brought into custody.

“Police are making ongoing inquiries at this stage and are still working at the scene.”

Four ambulance vehicles were also stationed close to the police road block, which stretched from Broom Hill Road to Richmond Road.

It is still unclear what those detained had been arrested on suspicion of.

If you spot an ongoing incident call the newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@archant.co.uk