POLICE were last night investigating claims that rival gangs were responsible for an incident which sparked a major armed police operation in the North-East.

The Haughton area of Darlington was brought to a standstill on Wednesday night after residents reported hearing gunshots and seeing a dozen men fleeing from a semi-detached house in cars.

Armed police surrounded the property in Salters Avenue and staged a four-hour stand-off, only to discover the house was empty.

Darlington police are still waiting to question the owner of the property and are investigating rumours that the incident is the result of gang warfare in the town.

There is speculation that a group of drinkers in the town and members of the travelling community have been involved in altercations.

Chief Superintendent Michael Banks, who was in charge of the operation, said: "We have heard rumours that gangs have been going round fighting.

"There was an incident certainly at the weekend that I am aware of.

"They have been described as being people from these two areas of the community.

"Whether it has got anything to do with yesterday, we have yet to establish it.

"We are still speaking to witnesses concerning the incident, we are trying to trace the householder, we are visiting people who heard or saw something and we will take it forward from there."

More than 30 police officers, half of them armed, were involved in the operation.

A police dog, with a camera fitted to its head, was sent in to search the house while a police helicopter circled above the neighbouring streets.

Police are continuing to search the area and have boarded up the house, which had several windows broken. None of the damage was caused by gunshots.

Rumours last night suggested that the two rival gangs plan to stage a fight on Bank Holiday Monday in the town centre.

Chief Supt Banks said: "There are a lot of rumours going around. We would take action to make sure that this sort of situation did not take place, but we have not heard anything specific in relation to this."

Anybody with any information should contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.