Armed police carried out an early morning raid in a block of city flats after reports a gunman was on the loose, locals say.

Gun-toting bobbies swarmed Knowland Grove in Earlham to confront a man who is thought to have a gun at around 6am yesterday.

Neighbours described an air of confusion as they tried to figure out the cause of chaos.

Armed police officers stormed Knowland Grove in Costessey yesterday morningArmed police officers stormed Knowland Grove in Earlham yesterday morning (Image: Newsquest)

"I was asleep when it started happening and woke up to find a lot of police cars outside," a man who lived opposite the flats said.

"I have no idea how it started but there was a lot of shouting going on," he added, wanting to remain anonymous for fear of his own personal safety.

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Locals say that the man looked like he is in his early 20s and is well known in the estate – which is just yards from a primary school

He is described as around 6”2 and has a history of anti-social behaviour in the area.

The supposed gunman was reported to be brandishing it near a primary schoolThe supposed gunman was reported to be brandishing it near a primary school (Image: Newsquest)

Previous incidents include threatening people with a knife and speeding down the narrow alleys on an electric scooter, some have said.

They say yesterday’s incident ended when the man was arrested and the firearm was recovered near Woodhill Rise.

It is currently unknown if it was real or an imitation BB gun.

Ms Packard, 64, who lives near the flats at the top of Knowland Grove said: "As far as I know it started around 6am with banging and shouting.

"I heard the man was trying to get into people's flats which is very scary."

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She added "It's usually quite quiet here but every now and then somebody moves in and creates all this chaos that people have to put up with.

Knowland Grove was the scene of confusion first thing in the morning following reports of the gunmanKnowland Grove was the scene of confusion first thing in the morning following reports of the gunman (Image: Google Maps)

"If it's not drugs or knives it's violence and people are sick of it.

"They usually move on or are kicked out fairly quickly though, some have moved to different flats in the estate three or four times.

"It's just something we have to put up with."

Police have been contacted but haven’t confirmed if any arrests have been made.