Armed police attended an incident in Bain Street, in the Kingswell suburb of Invercarill this afternoon after members of the public reported hearing a loud disorder and possible gunshots.

The incident happened about 3.30pm and the Armed Offenders Squad was deployed as a precaution.

A police spokesperson said one person had been arrested in relation to what appears to have been a family harm incident.

No one was injured.

Cordons had been stood down and there was not believed to be any further risk to the public.

A nearby resident she and her family were on their way home from a walk when they encountered police loading firearms with ammunition.

"We were freaking getting back home that someone was gonna fire shots around," she said.