By Alan Wilson and Jenna Cairney

Four people were arrested by armed police officers in a major operation in the Linlathen area of Dundee yesterday.

Police swooped on two houses in the quiet cul-de-sac of Blacklock Crescent, a few yards from Pitkerro Road.

Residents said at least 15 armed officers forced their way into the houses, emerging a short time later with three men and a woman.

More than 20 uniformed officers were placed at points surrounding the street, preventing access to and from the area flanked by Pitkerro Road, Fountainbleu Drive, Rowantree Crescent and Armour Place.

The raid was said by police to be in connection with armed police operations in Mid Craigie earlier this week after reports that a gunshot had been heard by residents.

One resident said, “There was a build-up of police all day around here, we knew something was going to kick off.

“It’s usually pretty quiet around here but it was obvious something was happening.”

Another resident, a teenager, added, “After they came into the square, they told everybody to stay in their houses, nobody could get out.”

Around half an hour after the incident began, the operation ended and police withdrew from the scene, leaving two officers at the gate of one of the houses.

Shortly afterwards, a recovery vehicle arrived and took away a white Peugeot car parked outside one of the houses.

A police spokesperson issued a statement which read, “At around 2.50pm this afternoon armed officers searched two properties in Blacklock Crescent as part of an ongoing firearms inquiry.

“The search activity was prompted by an incident in Longtown Road on Tuesday night when Tayside Police received reports that a firearm had been discharged in the area.

“A 25-year-old man was immediately arrested and charged in connection with the incident and he has already been reported to the procurator fiscal.”

The statement continued, “Tayside Police will continue to maintain a reassuring high-profile presence in the area following the incident.

“Officers taking part in the searches in Blacklock Crescent this afternoon found three individuals, two men and a woman, within the first premises.

“They have been detained by officers for further questioning.

“A man was found within the second property and he, too, is assisting officers with their in-quiries.

“A white Peugeot car parked in the street has been uplifted by Tayside Police for forensic examination.”