Man arrested after major police operation in Birkdale, Auckland

Armed police swarmed a street in Birkdale this afternoon. Photo / Supplied

Armed police swarmed on a suburban Auckland street this afternoon, before arresting a man.

A Castleton St, Birkdale, resident said the incident unfolded outside their home.

"They are right outside, we can see that the officers are armed, there are about 13 police cars, several people are being spoken to and some more have been taken away in police cars, cuffed."

Another resident was driving past and saw about 20 police cars and half a dozen armed police officers.

The incident is unfolding on the North Shore. Image / Google Maps

A police spokeswoman confirmed this evening a 26-year-old man with a number of warrants for his arrest was found by police at an address in Birkdale.

The armed offenders' squad, dog unit and Eagle helicopter were called to help, but the man was taken into custody without incident, she said.

Police were looking at laying a number of charges against the man, but had not done so yet.

The resident spoken to by the Herald said police were outside a home occupied by gang members, but was unsure which gang.

However, he also described the scene as "fairly relaxed".