Eight arrests in armed police raid

Armed police stormed a house in Wolverhampton and arrested eight people on suspicion of firearms and drugs offences.

Neighbours watched as the drama unfolded in Glenfield, Pendeford. A quantity of Class A drugs was also recovered.

Police cordoned off an area around the house as officers searched the property and surrounding gardens by torchlight following the raid which was carried out at around 8.30pm on Saturday. The search continued yesterday morning and the tape was finally removed around midday.

Residents today said they were shocked by the sight of police officers holding guns and walking up their street.

One mother, who asked not to be named, said: "I looked out my window and saw a policeman holding a gun. I was really shocked and didn't know what was going on. It's scary to think that this has been going on just down the street.

"My kids could have been out playing and they would have been terrified to see all that going on."

Another woman told how she was "alarmed" to arrive home and see the road cordoned off and police vans in the street.

"It's the first time anything like this has happened down there," she said. "It was worrying because you know most of the young people in the area and there was a fear that something terrible had happened to one of them.

A neighbour added: "It was quite shocking to see so many police in the street. It's a shame for the rest of the street because we are a nice area. There's been no trouble here before and some of us are quite a close-knit little community."

Det Sgt Jim Mahon, from Bilston Street police station, confirmed Class A drugs had been recovered from a house. Eight men, aged 17 to 30, were held on suspicion of gun and drugs crimes. They were released on bail pending further inquiries.