DOZENS of police officers were called to a Nelson street after reports a man threatening residents with a gun.

Officers were called to Vaughan Street, at around 5.30pm on Thursday.

There they arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Maureen Hawthorn, who has lived in Vaughan Street for the past 50 years, said: “I just saw all the commotion after it started.

“Police cars were parked all up the side streets but it didn’t last very long, from when I saw it it was over in about 20 minutes.

“There was a lot of people out on the street watching what was going on.”

Another Vaughan Street resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “There were four or five police cars on the street, as well as a van, and there seemed to be some police in body armour and an armed officer at well.

“It sounded like there had been something going on outside the house, and he had been asked to be quiet by someone when he threatened them with a gun, or something like a gun.”

A resident living opposite the incident said: “The house where it all started had a new door a few months ago because it got smashed in.

“I think some of the closer neighbours have had all sorts of problems with it, but I don’t know what started this.”

The 38-year-old man was still being questioned by police last night.