THIS is the dramatic moment armed police swooped on suspects in a busy Darlington road.
Police carrying sub-machine pistols were involved in the major incident on Darlington's busy Yarm Road last night (Sunday).
Police with guns arrested three men after stopping their van by forcing it off the road. The van mounted the pavement after it was boxed in by unmarked cars and forced to slow.
An armed policeman points a gun at a suspect on the pavement.
Armed officers then arrested the occupants of the van who were made to get out and lie on the pavement.
Uniformed police closed Yarm Road, between Bright Street and Cobden Street, while the force helicopter hovered overhead.
No shots were fired during the incident, which was originally believed to be a traffic accident.
Social media reports of an armed robbery at a local supermarket were incorrect.
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