A MAN has been arrested and police patrols are being stepped up after an incident in a Southampton estate.

At least seven police cars and a police van swooped on Languard Road and Hill Lane and officers were also seen on Hill Farm Road at about 9pm last night.

Residents reported seeing police "completely circling" the area and others spoke of their shock.

Hampshire Constabulary declined to comment on the incident until late this morning but now says a 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and carrying a blade in a public place.

A statement says: "We were called just before 9pm last night (Monday 15 May) to a report of a group of people causing damage to a house and a vehicle on Languard Road.

"No one was reported as injured.

"We believe this was a targeted incident which has resulted in substantial damage to property. Southampton West Neighbourhood Policing Team will be stepping up patrols later this evening to offer reassurance to residents.

"Please raise any concerns you have with them. "

There was no visible police activity at the scene this morning but several residents spoke of their shock at the events last night.

One Landguard Road resident, who declined to be identified, said: "There was a lot of police activity here last night, but we know nothing.

"I heard someone may have been in our gardens, but I didn't see anything.

"I haven't seen anything like this before on our road."

A Daily Echo reporter saw police searching in a bush in Hill Lane, and police dogs being deployed in the area.

Last night a man from Savoy Bed and Breakfast in Landguard Road said: "I think someone ran along the side of the next door house through the garden along the walls at the back.

“It is a bit worrying, there was no-one in our garden though.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 44170182906.