An eyewitness has described the moment armed police surrounded a youngster playing with a toy gun in a residential street.

Firearms officers swooped on streets in Droitwich after receiving reports from worried neighbours of a man in a balaclava and combats carrying a gun.

However, they found a 'youngster' with a toy rifle playing in the street.

James Hall, from Worcester, was driving through Droitwich and saw the events unfold.

He said: "It just happened out of nowhere to be honest with you. 

"I was in a car travelling behind the police. The police stopped, jumped out, and obviously pointed their weapons at the individual in question. 

"He seemed a bit confused as to what was going on and then sort of laid down on the ground. 

"It was a bit hard to tell how old or how young they were because they were sort of I would say wearing a balaclava, they had sunglasses on and they were dressed in sort of camo gear, so it was a bit difficult to tell.

"But, I think the thing above all with this was the professionalism and the speed with which the police reacted and dealt with the situation. 

"I cannot commend that enough and I think that needs to be recognised. 

"After I drove off, there were numerous police officers sort of still out and about in Droitwich and hats off to police for dispatching and resolving this so quickly."

Armed police swarmed the residential street after receiving reports of a man wearing combat gear and a balaclava whilst carrying a gun.

However, officers later discovered that this was a youngster dressed up and playing with a toy gun. 

READ MORE: Armed police search Droitwich for 'man in balaclava with gun' find youngster with toy

The officers were called to the Primsland Way and Addyes Way area of Droitwich. 

Worried residents had called West Merica Police claiming a man dressed in combat gear, wearing a balaclava and carrying gun roaming the streets at just before 6pm on Thursday, June 23.

A spokesperson from West Mercia Police said at the time:  "NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN - We want to reassure all residents living in the Primsland Way and Addyes Way area of Droitwich who may have seen armed police in the area that there is nothing to worry about.

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"Just before 6pm police were called following sightings of a man dressed in combat gear, wearing a balaclava and carrying gun in the the above roads.

"Armed police attended and apprehended the person who, it turned out, was a youngster dressed up and carrying a toy gun.

"Police returned the youngster home where appropriate advice was given."