POLICE wearing riot gear stormed a Southampton tower block yesterday.

Police cars and a police van were seen outside Dumbletons Towers, in Thornhill, yesterday morning (November 5).

An officer in riot gear, carrying a riot shield, was later seen leaving the tower block.

One person, said she saw police carry out a topless man "in his 20s" from the tower block.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "Officers attended Dumbletons Towers shortly after 9am this morning (November 5) and made an arrest.

"A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and threats to kill.

"He is currently in police custody."

MP for Southampton, Itchen, Royston Smith said: "It is comforting to know our Police Officers are keeping the public safe and I would like to pay tribute to them for their dedication and service. Perpetrators of criminal acts shows be under no illusion that they will be apprehended and feel the full force of the law.”

One nearby resident said she saw five police cars and a van, and another claimed he saw eight cars.

One neighbour said: "We can't complain about the area really. We've had little trouble here at our home, but there's always police over in the Towers for one thing or another. We're quite fortunate that it doesn't affect us locals in the surrounding houses, but it is constant. I guess it's to be expected with some of the tower blocks."

Another resident from Warburton Road said: "It happens in there quite a lot, so we just turn a blind eye to it all nowadays. There's always police outside for one reason or another. Luckily we don't get affected by it, it kind of just stays in there and I just hope nobody's hurt."

The 23-year-old man is still in custody, and Hampshire Constabulary can supply no further update.

The tower block is 14 storey's high and 130 ft tall. It has 104 dwellings, and was approved by a committee in 1962. It is part of three Southampton City Council run blocks in the area, along with Meredith and Highton Towers.