Police have not yet found a wanted person despite the dramatic search in the wider Thames area this afternoon.

A woman said she saw one police car speeding down Awaiti Road and another speed down Puke Road about mid-afternoon, where it stopped briefly to fill up with petrol.

Other locals described at least five police cars moving through the area at very high speeds, filled with officers dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.

A police spokeswoman said the officers were searching a property for a person wanted under a warrant in the wider Thames area.

She said officers were unable to find the person and they are continuing to search for that person.