Armed police shut down residential Tauranga street

Armed officers stand guard next to a small group of men at a Welcome Bay property during a police search today. Photo / Supplied

A man has been arrested following a dawn raid involving armed police at a Tauranga property today.Members of the Armed Offender Squad raided the Welcome Bay home at 6am.

Officers could be heard negotiating with a person inside the house on Kaitemako Rd.

Some police gathered in Waipuna Park while others blocked the street, near Panorama Drive, to southbound traffic.

A resident said she could hear police negotiating with someone through a megaphone or loudspeaker about 6.30am, telling the person to "come out" and they were "surrounded by armed police".

The woman said several officers dressed in black and holding weapons were standing guard around a small group of men who appeared to have been arrested on the property's front lawn.

A police communications spokeswoman said a 27-year-old had been arrested in relation to a firearm at the property.

A child was found at the property, she said.

The spokeswoman said the child had not been injured or involved in the situation.

Firefighters were called to the scene but they and the Armed Offender Squad were only there as a precaution, the spokeswoman said.

"There was no risk to neighbouring properties," she said.

The man is expected to appear in Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

Police gather at the scene of a raid in Welcome Bay on Kaitemako Rd. Photo/Amy Diamond