ARMED police swooped onto a Southampton street to arrest four people after a stabbing left a man in a serious condition.

Residents in Redbridge opened their curtains to see the armed officers patrolling in the Studland Road and Brookwood Road area.

Police had responded to a report of a man being stabbed at a house in Studland Road.

The unnamed man was reported to have serious injuries but his exact condition is unclear following the incident, which happened on Sunday.

Police had arrived on the scene just after 8.30am, searched the area with a dog team, and also made door to door enquiries.

One man was arrested in Brookwood Road. It was unclear where the other three were detained.

Several armed armed officers were on standby surrounding the area and a helicopter was dispatched and hovered overhead.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident. It was unclear whether they were still in police custody last night.

Police at the scene in Brookwood Road would not comment to the Daily Echo but told residents “not to worry”.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said two vehicles, a critical care unit and an ambulance, were sent to the scene at 8.30am.

She said the stabbing victim was in a “stable” condition at the scene and was taken by road ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

The incident surprised local people. Malcolm Willis, 76, retired, said: “I opened the curtains and saw a saw a copper standing by the lamp post with a great big gun.

"This is usually a peaceful area, you don’t normally see police with guns.”

One female resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I spoke to the police who told me not to worry and to lock the door and stay inside.

"I let one in with a police dog and he searched the garden. All the gardens were searched.”