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James Scott, Matt Leclere and Samantha Williams
Two men arrested at gunpoint after armed police surrounded a house in South Ashford yesterday have been released on bail today.
The 25-year-old, from Ashford, and 32-year-old Londoner were held on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate.
Witnesses told of the dramatic moment armed officers descended on Cade Road at 12.30pm before pointing their guns at a house.
Residents were told to stay inside as the road was closed off before two men were arrested.
Kent Police said they have now been bailed pending further inquiries until Thursday, December 5.
Armed officers, with guns over their shoulders and wearing protective vests, were spotted standing over one handcuffed man who was taken away.
"I saw the police officers all lying in the road with sniper guns pointed at the house..." - witness Sarah Harvey
Witness Sarah Harvey, who lives in Denness Road, said she was shocked to see around eight police cars arrive.
She said: "There were loads and loads of armed police and one end of the road was blocked.
"I went to walk past because I live at the end of the the road and a police lady told me to get back.
"She told me to stay behind her and to carry on walking. She said nobody had been hurt yet."
The full-time housewife, 37, added: "As I walked past I saw the police officers all lying in the road with sniper guns pointed at the house.
"They were all in black. I've never seen anything like it."
Eight police cars and a dog unit were spotted in the street, which was taped off.
Witnesses reported seeing armed police officers wearing black combat-type uniforms.
Kent Police spokesman Alice Hemmings said yesterday: "Following information received at 10.30am today, officers attended an address at Cade Road, Ashford.
"Two men have been arrested and inquiries are ongoing."
Police surround a house in South Ashford. Video: Matt Leclere
Speaking at 1.45pm, KentOnline reporter Matt Leclere said: "There's been several police cars blocking the road.
"Armed police are on the scene and have just entered a house in the road, presumably to sweep the house, but nobody's come out yet.
"Earlier, we saw one man taken away by armed police and put in the back of a car."
He added: "There's probably about 30 to 40 people out in the street trying to find out what's going on."
Cade Road residents were told to remain in their houses while armed police investigated.
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I saw the police tape off the road. I was told to stay in my house - I couldn't even let the dog out in the back garden."
Members of the WI who meet at the Cade Road United Reformed & Methodist Church were held up in the hall after the police arrived.
A member said: "The others left, but we stayed behind to clear up. The police told us to stay inside, but said we were safe"
