Three people have been taken into custody after a possible firearm was sighted in the Lower Hutt suburb of Petone.

Emergency services were called to the scene around 7.20am.

Armed police were quickly deployed as a matter of precaution, said a police spokesperson.

The people were arrested after a possible firearm was sighted on East St.

Earlier police asked the public to keep away from the East St area as officers responded to an incident.

The area was cordoned off, with road closures in place from East St to Waione St, but have since been reopened.

A person in a nearby business said the police were concentrated around an East St property and the house behind it on Waione St.

He told the Herald there were “a lot” of officers and around 12 police vehicles in the area.

Officers were in both standard uniform and tactical gear.

Police thanked the public for their patience, said a spokesperson.

“Police would like to reassure the community that there appears to be no further concerns, and officers will remain present around the area.”