Armed police stormed a residential street in Downham after reports of a man with a gun.

Residents spoke of their shock after gun carrying coppers and sniffers dogs swarmed Ambleside on Sunday as the police chopper flew overhead.

Police carried out a wide spread search for the ‘armed man’ but officers failed to find any trace of a suspect.

The search spread into nearby Coniston Road, and armed officers were also spotted near the McDonald’s in Ashgrove Road.

However a spokeswoman for the fast food restaurant confirmed the officers were merely stopping for lunch.

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Armed police stormed Ambleside in Downham. Picture: Google.

Twitter user Ashley Crinchlow said: “Madness in Downham McDonald's armed police…Helicopter the lot."

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “Police in Lewisham were called to reports of a man with a firearm in Ambleside, Downham at around 10:10hrs on Saturday, September 10.

“Officers attended the scene and there was no trace of any suspect.

“Enquiries continue and no arrests have been made.”

Anyone who witnessed anything, or with any information, should contact Lewisham police's CID on 020 8284 8372 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.