Armed police have blocked off several streets in Waltham this evening.

Multiple police officers were first spotted along Ferry Road just after 5PM.

A police spokeswoman told Chris Lynch, armed police are currently responding to an incident in Waltham, where they are working to take a person of interest into custody. Cordons are in place. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Charles Street, Barbour Street and Lismore Streets have been blocked off by police.

A resident told Chris Lynch it appeared police were focusing on a property on Barbour Street.

She said she didn’t hear anything unusual until she went outside and saw armed police near her driveway.

A Fire and Emergency truck was stationed on Charles Street along with two St John Ambulance vehicles.

Police cars were also parked along Wilsons Road.

Another resident said police officers were standing near Ensors Road, parallel to the railway line.

“They have guns and I also spotted more cops further down the tracks, it looked pretty intense,” the resident said.

Residents were allowed to leave the area but were not allowed to enter the police cordons to return home.

Meanwhile, armed police descended on a Rangiora property this afternoon as part of their investigation into the death of Richard Leman.

A neighbour told Chris Lynch an armed police guard remained at the Southbrook Road address.

A police forensics tent was located at the street end of the driveway.

“This house was engulfed in fire at least a couple of months ago” the resident said.