A resident told how people were asked to stay inside their houses for their "own safety" as armed police with shields descended on their quiet street.

Pankhurst Avenue, near Brighton Racecourse, was closed this morning as police took over the area while they attended to an incident in a block of flats.

The Argus: Several police vehicles were at the sceneSeveral police vehicles were at the scene (Image: Contributor)

A woman who lives opposite the flats said: "I was told I had to stay inside my house for my own safety."

Specialist officers wearing balaclavas were seen taking shields out of their SUV cars but police said there was "no threat" to the wider community.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "They blocked off the road and wouldn't let us down.

"We saw them going into the flats opposite, and I saw the police sprinting into one of the buildings."

Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly before 8.30am, after receiving calls to a "medical incident" in the area.

Police officers worked with paramedics during the incident, which happened in a housing estate with three blocks of flats.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Emergency services were called to a medical incident in Pankhurst Avenue, Brighton, at about 8.20am on Thursday, April 13.

"A temporary road closure was in place while officers and paramedics responded to the incident.

"The incident posed no threat to the wider community."