This is the shocking moment multiple shots were fired from a penthouse balcony near a shopping complex.

Officers descended on the scene near The Range on the far edge of Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre in Chatham this morning after neighbours reported a gunman was in the area.

Footage of the shooting

They remain at the scene and a man in his 30s has now been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. Four suspected imitation guns have been found.

Clips show the suspect discharging a number of guns from the top floor of an apartment block which was stormed by heavily armed officers. A picture later circulated on social media showing a man being lead away in handcuffs.

St Mary's Island was shut off at the height of the drama as a helicopter hovered overhead.

The Medway Tunnel was also closed but has since reopened.

A neighbour who lives close to the mall said: "There was a lot of banging just over an hour ago, I just assumed it was construction workers.

"There was armed police outside The Range who waved everyone back, they moved towards the noise.

"Staff at The Range have been trying to catch everyone and get them into the shop.

"Someone across the way shouted about someone having a gun.

"There's a police helicopter flying above."

KMTV reporter Phil Wellbrook is on the scene, he said: "There's police cars arriving every couple of minutes, there's currently two police cars and lots of patrol cars.

"The Co-Op is still open but there's lots of people in hi-vis keeping the area secure.

"There were two helicopters circling over head. Now police have pushed everyone away.

"Police are still on the scene, telling bystanders to get away, there's lots of confusion."

Police spokesman Martin Very said: Kent Police was called at 8.35am on Wednesday, April 22 to a disturbance at a flat on Dock Head Road, Chatham.

"Members of the public reported seeing a man on a balcony with weapons and patrols, including armed officers, are at the scene making enquiries."

The scene close to the incident in Chatham

More as we have it.

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