Five people have been arrested after armed police were deployed to Whitehaven following reports of possession of a firearm.

Police received a report at 2.50pm on Friday, March 29, that a number of men had been seen in possession of a firearm in the area of Meadow Road.

Officers were deployed and three men were subsequently arrested.

A further two were arrested with one on suspicion of possession of a firearm and the other on suspicion of assisting an offender.

As a precaution, firearms officers were deployed during an earlier stage of the enquiry.

They remain in custody.

A number of properties have been searched by officers during the enquiry.

Cumbria Police say residents may see an increased police presence in the area as investigations continue.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 – referring to incident 138 of March 29.