Three people have been arrested after armed police stormed a property in County Durham. 

Officers - including armed police - raided a business premises and residential flat on West View, in Esh Winning, on Wednesday morning. 

Pictures from the scene showed gun-carrying officers dressed in black surrounding a property - with police later erecting a cordon at the back of the address later in the day. 

The Northern Echo:

White-suited crime scene investigators wearing blue gloves were then spotted probing the scene within the taped-off area. Durham Constabulary has now confirmed that three people - two men, aged 39 and 24, and a 32-year-old woman have been arrested. 

All three remain in custody at Durham City Police Station for questioning while investigations continue. 

Search teams have been at the site throughout the day and have "removed a number of items for further analysis" - although the force has not provided any details on the items seized. 

The Northern Echo: Crime scene investigators in Esh Winning following a pre-planned search warrant

Police are expected to remain at the scene for "some time." 

As previously reported, residents reported how a property was put “under siege” on Wednesday morning after being surrounded by the armed officers. The road was initally blocked off at the time of the incident, with residents onlooking beside the large-scale police activity. 

A full statement from the force said: "Three people were arrested during a police operation in Esh Winning today.

The Northern Echo: Crime scene investigators in Esh Winning following a pre-planned search warrant

"At approximately 9.30am, police executed a pre-planned search warrant at a property in Front Street, which included a business premises and residential flat above.

"Two men, aged 39 and 27, were arrested along with a 32-year-old woman. All three were taken to Durham City police station for questioning and remain in custody while investigations continue.

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"Search teams have been at the site throughout the day and have removed a number of items for further analysis."

Inspector Dave Clarke, from Durham Constabulary, added: “Officers will remain at the scene for some time while our search teams continue to examine the property.

“We’d like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and ongoing co-operation while our enquiries continue”.