People have spoken of the confusion and chaos that ensued as armed police swooped on a house to arrest a man in possession of an illegal airgun.

Officers surrounded the home in Middleton Avenue, Chingford, at 5.20pm on Saturday after receiving reports that a 28-year-old man was shooting the weapon in the garden.

A squad of armed police entered the house with support from a police helicopter overhead and 11 response cars, and the Guardian understands the man fired the gun at officers while resisting arrest.

The airgun is believed to exceed the “legal muzzle-energy limit” on such firearms, meaning it was powerful enough to penetrate skin.

Penelope Whittaker, 58, of neighbouring Cherrydown Avenue, said: “The first we heard of it both the roads were closed and there were police with guns standing about. It was complete chaos, it was just surreal.

“People were standing around not knowing what to do. We thought he had a gun at the time which we just found unbelievable. But airguns can do a lot of damage too.”

Daphne Edwards, of Cherrydown Avenue, was at home when the incident occurred.

The 59-year-old said: “Obviously it’s very scary, you don’t expect it but when it‘s out on your doorstep it’s even more harrowing.

“You’re double-checking your safety all the time, making sure the doors and windows are locked down.”

Richard Forrester, 65, of Middleton Avenue, added: “It’s not good at all. Firing at the police, I mean come on, that’s really bad. They’re a nice couple of roads. But things are getting worse and worse.

“It’s very worrying for people living here. You want to know your neighbourhood’s safe but things like this make you doubt that.”

The man has since been bailed, with police yet to confirm when he is due to return to a police station.