A person has been taken into police custody after reports of an armed man outside Christchurchthis afternoon.

Police responded to “a reported firearms sighting” in Spencerville just north of the city after midday.

“Inquiries are being made at an address with cordons in place,” police said.

“Some staff are armed as a precaution.”

It came as reports circulated on social media of an armed man in the area.

Police later said they had taken one person into custody.

“Inquiries remain ongoing,” a police spokesman said.