Armed Police are hunting 'a man with firearm' in south-west London

The Metropolitan Police say it is not being treated as terror-related

Armed police officers spotted outside a property in Wimbledon, south west London (Matt Wheeler/Twitter)

Armed police officers have arrested a suspect following a manhunt in south west London.

Responding to reports of a man seen in possession of an item" believed to be a firearm" in Wimbledon station, Merton police shut down a number of roads and proceeded to search the area.

Witnesses have said officers warned residents to stay indoors and stay away from the cordoned off area.

Local resident Matt Wheeler, 31, told The Independent he saw over 20 armed police officers along with police dogs congregating near his house on Kingston Road in Wimbledon around 10am before heading off to a nearby property 20 minutes later.

Mr Wheeler said he then saw a man being escorted out the property by officers.

Merton Police said in a statement: "A male was seen acting strangely on the tram on his way to Wimbledon.

"A vigilant member of the public then contacted police with reasonable concerns after the male apparently dropped a bag which was deemed potentially suspicious.

"He was quickly identified by local officers and an armed police unit attended as a precaution.

"The address, near to Kingston Road, junction Lower Downs Road, had appropriate cordons quickly put in place. A search of the address is currently underway, with the male detained."

Former local councillor Peter Walker was cycling down the road when he was warned to stay away.

Mr Walker told the Wimbledon Guardian: "The police are all tooled up. I can see around nine of them now, all with helmets and carrying those big guns.

"They are telling us to stay back. This doesn't happen in Wimbledon in the summer."