THIS was the dramatic moment when armed police swooped on the streets of Southampton.

An officer stands guard with his assault rifle ready as one man lies prone in the road ready to be handcuffed.

The shocking scenes - captured by a passing photographer - took place during the Friday evening rush hour traffic. Two police cars forced a vehicle to stop in The Avenue and made good their arrest.

Hours earlier seven members of a gang were arrested by police when a fight spilled onto the streets in Shirley. Detectives reported that an axe-type weapon had been used in this incident.

Last night police were refusing to link the two events officially.

For full story and more pictures see today's Daily Echo.