Armed police are conducting an operation in Hartford Avenue Papamoa this morning.

A caller to the 0800 SunLive news hotline says he saw police and armed offenders' squad members and men standing handcuffed in the street.

The former Hartford Ave resident says there has been suspicious late night activity near the reserve for the last 18 months.

A police spokesperson confirmed to SunLive that a police operation is currently taking place at an address on Hartford Avenue.

'The incident is contained and it is not believed there is any risk to the wider public,” says the spokesperson.

'As the operation is still ongoing, police cannot comment further.”