A 61-year-old Brighton man has been arrested for firearms offences after armed police raided a house in a pre-planned raid last night.
A Royal Navy bomb disposal unit is now helping police search the house in Richmond Road, Brighton.
The road was sealed off last night while officers and police dogs entered the house at about 9pm as part of the intelligence-led operation.
A police spokeswoman said: “A warrant for the search of firearms was executed at a house in Richmond Road, Brighton, on Monday evening (October 14).
“This was a pre-planned intelligence-led operation on a single property.
“A 61-year-old man from Brighton has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and the possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and remains in police custody at this stage.
“The scene has been secured for searches to be carried out in due course.”
Some residents were reportedly told they would not be able to pass the cordon even to get home and should find somewhere else to spend the night.
One resident, tweeting as @Lucasnesque, said last night at 9pm: “It’s all kicking off in Brighton, we’ve armed police blocked our road off and our neighbours have been told their daughter will not be able to come home tonight and will have to sleep elsewhere.”