Armed police blocked a street in Northfleet as they raided a house as part of a national operation.

Dozens of plain-clothed and armed police descended on Dene Holm Road which they blocked off for around three hours as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) operation.

The operation, in relation to money laundering offences, also involved searches of homes in Wakefield, two in Huddersfield and two premises in Kent.

Eyewitnesses said there was a heavy police presence on the road, which is a quiet residential street.

A witness said: "They surrounded the house and took some people out. We watched them get marched out, six guys and a girl I think it was. It's surprising there were so many police on a quiet street."

A spokesman for the NCA said: "As part of the investigation and with assistance from local forces, our officers searched two premises in Huddersfield and two premises in Kent; one of which, in Northfleet, was searched with the presence of armed officers.”

Witnesses said the occupants of the Northfleet house were eventually allowed back inside. The operation resulted in the arrests of three men and one woman in Wakefield.

The incident happened last Thursday (October 19).