Members of the Armed Offenders Squad and other police spent several hours on Wednesday afternoon in the Carlton Ave area of Whanganui.
A police spokeswoman said police were making inquiries in the area to locate a person of interest.
"AOS was assisting as a precaution," she said.
The operation was located around the Heads Rd/Liffiton St end of Carlton Ave.
Police left the area about 3.45pm.
