RESIDENTS in Lechlade reported witnessing a series of dramatic scenes, after armed police were called to the town and a car was found ablaze.

The fire is being treated as suspected arson and linked to an aggravated burglary which took place last Wednesday.

Gloucestershire fire crews and police were called shortly after midday to Mill Lane after a Vauxhall Corsa was found on fire.

The Standard was told by a resident of Mill Lane, who did not wish to be named, that he later saw armed officers in the area.

He said he was stopped by a police blockade, adding: “I was driving home and I saw commotion up ahead, a plume of smoke and lots of police. They were literally putting out the fire as I got there.”

He said that after he arrived home, he saw armed police, dogs and dog handlers heading across the field behind Mill Lane.

“You don’t expect to see that around here. There has been a spate of petty crime but seeing this suggests something more serious.”

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said the car fire was linked to a Thames Valley Police investigation.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that armed officers were deployed to the area.

Investigating officer Det Insp Mike Roddy, of Abingdon Force CID, sought to reassure worried residents. He said: “I understand that this has been a very concerning incident for people living in the area, but we are carrying out a thorough investigation.”

A police spokesman said that at about 11am last Wednesday, a man had returned to his home in Radcot Road in nearby Faringdon, to find men leaving the property.

They threatened him with a firearm before making off in a small blue vehicle. Later a firearm was recovered.

Two men – a 34-year-old man from Watchfield and a 36-year-old man from Faringdon were arrested on suspicion of burglary on Thursday, in connection with the investigation.

Det Insp Roddy also confirmed that the aggravated burglary in Faringdon was being linked to a similar incident near Bampton on February 19.