TERRIFIED residents dived for cover as armed police swooped in Nottingham.
Witnesses and people living nearby said they heard what sounded like gunshots.
Police say there were no shots fired, instead they used what they described as "technical devices", which may have sounded similar.
One witness, a 62-year-old man, said he ran into a nearby bus shelter after hearing the bangs."There were about six or seven bangs," he said.
The incident happened around noon yesterday in Low Wood Road, at the junction with Sellars Wood Drive. The police say it was part of a swoop on people suspected of serious crime, which saw three arrests in Bulwell. The witness, who sent some pictures to the Post, added: "I was on my daily walk, which I do because of my diabetes, when I suddenly saw lots of police.
"There was some shouting. I could hear them saying 'get out of the car'. Then I heard what sounded like gunshots. I didn't know what to do so I ran to the bus shelter for cover."
The pictures from the man show police officers, some with their faces covered and in plain clothes, with guns. There is a man on the floor who appears to be handcuffed. There is a silver car, a black car with a damaged front grille, and two white vans.
Witnesses say that one of the vans had a smashed window.
Nikita Crombie, 19, of Sellars Wood Drive, also heard what he thought were gunshots.
She said: "I was in the house when I heard about six or seven loud bangs.
"I told my brother to go out and have a look. He said there were lots of police."
A 26-year-old woman, who also lives in Sellars Wood Drive, added: "I was in the back garden with the dog when I heard bangs like gunshots.
"I ran into the house. It was coming from the top of the road.
"I went to see my baby who was crying."
A police spokesman said the incident was part of pre-planned vehicle stops in Bulwell yesterday morning as part of an investigation into "organised crime activity".
Three people were arrested and taken into custody.
A police spokesman said: "In order to effect the safe arrest of three people in Bulwell, and ensure the safety of officers and members of the public, Notts police officers used a range of tactics, which included technical devices, which may have been misinterpreted as gun fire."
