Armed police arrest two men for possession of a firearm in Duke Street near Ipswich Waterfront

The area of Duke Street in Ipswich where armed police were called to after an armed man was seen. Photograph Simon Parker (Image: Archant)

Police received a call from a member of the public who said they saw a man with “what appeared to be a gun” in Duke Street at around 10.40am, a force spokesman said.

The man was then seen to enter a building, thought to be the block of flats above Tesco Express, in Duke Street.

Armed police and the police helicopter were called to the scene and the roads in the area were closed to pedestrians and vehicles.

Two men came out of the building and they were both arrested by police for possession of a firearm at around 11.05am.

They were taken to the Martlesham Police Investigation Centre where they are set to be questioned.

One man was aged 34 and the other man was aged 25.

The roads re-opened shortly before midday.

Police had earlier said the incident had been “safely resolved”.

Meanwhile, one witness, a shop owner who works in the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Four or five police cars turned up and there were five or six armed police aiming their guns (at a flat). They shouted ‘come to the balcony with your arms up’.

“We were told to stay inside so I couldn’t see what happened, but they were both apprehended. It was quite dramatic. It was like something out of Coronation Street.”

No injuries were reported during or after the incident.

Following the arrests, officers could be seen entering the block of flats via the side door by the Tesco Express store in Duke Street.

Around a dozen police vehicles were called to the scene in total. The police dog unit was also called.

Police are asking anyone with any information relating to the incident to call Suffolk Constabulary on 101.