Thames Valley Police (TVP) arrested three people, including one for firearms offences, following a major police operation on Marlborough Road near the city centre.
One householder described the residential street, with several cafes and a nursery, as a “usually nice and quiet area”.
READ MORE: Smoke billows after fire breaks out inside van at retail park
However, at approximately noon on Monday police carried out a raid on one of the houses resulting in two arrests.
Neighbouring properties were reportedly evacuated as part of the operation, and a part of the street was closed for several hours.
A TVP spokesperson said: “Officers are currently on scene at an address in Marlborough Road, Oxford. It follows the arrest of a woman and boy on suspicion of blackmail.”
At least eight police officers attended the scene, some of whom were armed with firearms and shields. A police dog was also present as were five vehicles including one van and an unmarked vehicle.
As the police made the arrests, they observed “munitions” in an “unconnected neighbouring property”.
While the area was cordoned off, an Oxford Mail reporter observed and watched as police officers took a man into custody appearing to arrest him.
TVP has made clear that they see no link between the firearms arrest and the two arrests for a blackmail incident.
Jens Thiis, 35, who lives in Marlborough Road, said: “I’ve never seen police here before. It’s usually a nice and quiet area.”
He said: “I was coming out to go for lunch and a police officer said go to the left now.
“He had an automatic pistol pointed at me which he immediately dropped.”
While the road was re-opened at just after 2pm, police confirmed that they remained on the street until later in the afternoon.
