Armed police and dog handlers swooped on a residential street in Middlesbrough last night (Thursday, May 25).
Multiple police vehicles converged on Burwell Road, in Middlesbrough, shortly before 10pm, with several armed police officers soon surrounded a property.
Cleveland Police officers were seen approaching the property with their weapons at the ready, while police dog handlers were also on the scene. 
Officers with stepladders were also seen outside the property.
According to eyewitnesses, two men were detained at the scene.
Cleveland Police have now confirmed that they were called following reports of a suspected rifle - which was later found to be garden tools.
A spokesperson said: "At 8.30pm on Wednesday 24 April reports were received of a man with a suspected rifle on Fulbeck Road.
"Police, including armed officers, attended to the area and located two men who were both detained on Penny Avenue.
"A search of the men and a property resulted in no firearm being located however gardening equipment believed to have been stolen was identified and thought to have been mistaken for the firearm."
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