Armed police officers swooped on a flat in Herne Bay in a dramatic raid on Wednesday.

A flat in the High Street was surrounded by four armed officers, five patrol cars and a dog unit at 1.30pm.

Stunned onlookers watched as the officers entered the flat next to the Queen Vic pub before speeding off minutes later with their sirens sounding.

A 52-year-old man, believed to be the tenant of the flat, Keith Foad, was arrested half-an-hour later in Oxford Street, Whitstable.

He was arrested in connection with a burglary in Birchington in the early hours of the same day. The incident is believed to have been domestic.

The man was being questioned at Canterbury police station on Wednesday evening.

Armed officers were called as back-up after reports a man was carrying a gun. It is not yet known if a gun was recovered.

Queen Vic landlady Jackie Green watched the drama unfold.

She said: “I was just in the pub when all these police cars pulled up outside. There were four armed officers and policemen with dogs.

“They went round the back and the front. There must have been five cars.

“One policeman stood watch at the door for at least an hour. We didn’t have a clue what was going on. Then suddenly they all shot off. It was over in a flash.”

Police spokesman Jane Walker confirmed a 52-year-old man from Herne Bay was arrested in Whitstable at 2pm.

She said armed officers attended to ensure public safety.

Read more reaction in tomorrow's Whitstable and Herne Bay Gazette.