Armed police swoop on Surbiton car

4:58pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

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Surbiton was brought to a standstill this afternoon after armed police appeared to swoop on a Land Rover and held a group of men at gun point in the middle of a main road.

According to witnesses, six men were hauled out of their black Land Rover in Ewell Road by plain clothed and uniformed police, dragged to the floor and handcuffed.

They were said to be held up against a wall near Surbiton hospital and asked questions by several police officers for about 45 minutes. The men were then apparently freed and allowed to drive off in their Land Rover, which was reported to have had its window smashed.

One witness said he saw police circling the area for hours before the car was stopped.

He said: "They were getting thrown out saying 'get your hands down' with guns to their heads. They were playing up, trying to get away from the police."

The road was closed in both directions for almost an hour at 3pm this afternoon, according to reports. Onlookers were ushered away by police.

A police spokesman said officers were responding to a tip off that a gun was spotted in a black Range Rover. After a full search of the car and five men, no guns were found and the men were let free. A second car matching the description was also stopped on Surbiton Road earlier at 2.12pm and no guns were found. Police admitted breaking the car window because of the "perceived risk" to the public.

Did you see what happened? Did you take any photographs? Contact Kerry Grove on 0208 3309550 or email kgrove@london.newsquest.co.uk.