Armed police swooped on a man and a woman in St Ives this afternoon (Tuesday) as part of a training exercise.

A crowd watched as officers “arrested” a willing man and a woman at gunpoint in Needingworth Road.

Cambridgeshire police is taking part in the two-day exercise with the military and “other stakeholders” today and tomorrow.

A spokesman said: “This exercise forms an integral part of our training programme to test our contingency plans.

“The event is pre-planned and not arranged in response to any increased threat to the region.

“Members of the public may see an increased police presence in the exercise area(s), while the exercise is live.

“They can be assured that during the event, they will not experience any reduction in the quality of service provided.”

He added the exercises were planned ahead of last week’s shootings in Paris and not in response.