A suspect has been arrested after armed police were called to an area of Dover following reports of a man carrying a gun.

According to witnesses officers were shouting at people to get back in their houses after the unit arrived in Folkestone Road at 4.20pm today.

The road was closed and an alley close to W G Hall, a late night shop, was sealed off as well as the passage behind the premises which runs between Malvern Road and Belgrave Road.

Sam Lennon, who lives nearby, was at the scene at 6.40pm.

He said: "I could see a dog van and three to four police cars and that the alley was sealed off. There was clusters of people standing and watching.

"By 7.10pm the area was re-opened.

"Witnesses told me that the centre of the incident was in a small foot passage near W G Hall."

Resident Gary Bigg said: "I went out to see what was happening. I saw police armed response vehicles and the area was cordoned off so I knew it was something serious."

Kent police confirmed a man has been arrested in connection with the incident. No further details are currently available.

A spokesman for the force said: "No injuries were reported and officers are not looking for anybody else at this time. There was not believed to be any threat to public safety."