THREE people were being quizzed today after armed police swooped on two addresses in Southampton in a massive operation to recover firearms.

About 45 police officers from across Hampshire took part in the raids carried out in the St Mary's district of the city.

Two men and a woman were arrested and were today in custody helping police with inquiries.

Police confirmed a weapon had been recovered from the scene and said investigations were continuing.

Det Insp Derek Stubbington, head of Southampton Central CID, who led the raids, codenamed Operation Beaucroft, said: "The operation went smoothly and was a success.

"We have recovered a firearm and the people in custody will be helping us with inquiries today."

Police swooped on the properties around 10am today in a carefully planned operation involving armed police, uniformed officers, plain clothed detectives and scenes of crime officers.

Both Alfred Street and nearby Lyon Street remained sealed off while inquiries were carried out.

Police posted flyers through the letterboxes of homes in the neighbourhood encouraging people to speak confidentially about crime in the area.

Det Insp Stubbington said officers had swooped on the homes in St Mary's to execute warrants under the firearms act.

It is understood the raids were not connected to Hampshire police's newly launched Operation Trojan initiative, a high profile crackdown on drug related violent crime across the county.