Five arrests made after firearm incident

Whitehaven residents are being told they will see an increased police presence in the area

Five people have been arrested following an incident in Whitehaven which saw firearms officers deployed and properties searched.

Cumbria Police said they received a report at 14:50 GMT on Friday that a number of men had been seen with a single firearm in the Meadow Road area.

Three men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and remain in custody, police said.

A further two men were also arrested later that evening, one on suspicion of possession of a firearm and another on suspicion of assisting an offender, and remain in custody.

Police said firearms officers were deployed during an earlier stage of their inquiry, and a number of properties were searched.

Residents have been told they may see an increased police presence in the area as investigations continue.