A MAN and a woman were today arrested at gunpoint by Kent police officers at a house in Rochester.

Shocked residents in Bingham Road looked on as armed officers turned up to arrest two suspected illegal immigrants.

One eye-witness, who didn't want to be named, said: "The police blocked the road off outside the house and the man came out with his hands behind his hand and officers were all around him pointing their guns at him.

"He walked out of the house and the armed officers told him to lay on the floor. They then told him to put his arm behind his back and then they put hand cuffs on him and took him away."

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "It was a joint operation by the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police and the Immigration Service.

"A 27-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman, both foreign nationals, were arrested and taken to a police station for questioning.

"Armed response officers were dispatched to assist with the operation after intelligence was received that there may have been firearms on the premises. I can confirm no shots were fired. The arrests were made just after 10am."