POLICE are urging people not to approach a Southampton man after reports someone carrying a weapon entered a home and assaulted a woman, putting her in hospital.

Armed officers carried out a number of raids across the city on Friday, including at Abercrombie Gardens in Lordshill, after a man entered a house in Rowlands Walk, Townhill Park, at around 4am and assaulted a woman in her 20s, leaving her with injuries to her face and arms.

The man, who was believed to have been carrying a weapon at the time, fled in a silver Ford estate car. On Friday police said no arrests had been made.

Officers have now launched an appeal to trace 30-year-old Daniel Grattan, from Southampton, in connection with the incident.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We are continuing to carry out enquiries to locate [Grattan] and progress this investigation.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has seen Grattan or knows of his whereabouts urgently.”

Officers are urging anyone who sees Grattan not to approach him, but call 999, and quote reference ‘44170238840’.

On Friday the Daily Echo reported how residents in Abercrombie Gardens saw police armed with machine guns and shields descended on the area early on Friday morning.

A resident, who gave their name only as Patrick, said: "I pulled in about half past seven and there were about half a dozen cops, actual officers round here.

"They were all armed with machine guns and shields, like riot shields.

"I didn't see them come out with anything though."