ARMED police were called to a Faringdon housing estate today over an alert a man was driving “erratically” and may have had a gun.

Officers were called at 3pm and stopped a vehicle in Palmer Road, where the driver ran off, Thames Valley Police said.

Spokeswoman Rebecca Webber said: “Police believed the driver may have had access to a firearm, so armed officers, together with officers from the dog section, and the National Police Air Service helicopter were called in to locate the man.”

A 22-year-old man was arrested at a flat in Palmer Road at about 5.30pm on suspicion of criminal damage, burglary with intent and road traffic offences.

Another man and two women were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and “other incident related offences” she said.

Alison Thompson, of Rawdon Way, Faringdon said: "There was a helicopter hovering over head from about 3pm. We were aware of it but didn’t pay much attention.

"Then my son saw a policeman on the corner of Rawdon Way who was carrying a gun at about 4pm.

"The helicopter was still over head and two police cars came up the road and stopped outside our house and next door. I asked what was going on to a policeman but he ignored me.

"In total, there were about five police cars and two police dogs about 100 feet up the road on the corner. 

"At about 5pm I could see the helicopter hovering over the same spot for about ten to 15 minutes. Then the helicopter went off and the police went at about 5pm or 5.15pm. It was all going on for a couple of hours.

"It seemed to be between Rawdon Way and the next estate. 

"We live on a cul-de-sac so it is normally very quiet so it was very surprising.

The four arrested people were still in custody earlier this evening.