ARMED officers swarmed on a house to make an arrest following allegations that a man had been spotted driving a silver Mercedes while brandishing a hatchet.

Witnesses have described how officers from the Matrix Serious and Organised Crime Unit raided a house on Common Road in Newton-le-Willows.

They were acting on initial reports that a man had been spotted in Herbert Street, St Helens town centre.

An eye witness told the Star: “We saw a load of police cars pull up and the armed police climbing over the fence to the house. Not long after that they took a man from the house and bundled him into the back of a police van. There were several police cars and vans and the helicopter was flying overhead for a brief period.”

A 22-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.