ARMED police raided a York house today in connection with a kidnapping after a man was forced into a car and driven away.

Up to eight North Yorkshire Police units were sent to the house in Tang Hall Lane at about 9.15am, where officers forced entry to the property, and arrested four men who currently remain in police custody.

A spokeswoman said the raid was connected with an incident in which a man was forced out of his car and put into another by three men in York on Monday afternoon.

She said: "The incident was reported by members of the public at around 5.28pm on Monday, after a black Renault Clio pulled up in Butcher Terrace, Bishopthorpe Road, followed by a silver car containing three men. The three men forced the driver of the Clio to get in the silver car with them and drove off.

"At around 9.15am on the morning of Tuesday, officers arrested three men in Tang Hall Lane in connection with the incident. A fourth man was arrested on suspicion of drug offences in the early hours of April 25. All four men remain in police custody for questioning."

The spokeswoman said three men were arrested on suspicion of kidnap, one of whom was also arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs. A fourth man was arrested in connection with the supply of Class A drugs.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said she heard the door being smashed and looked into the road to find four police vans parked in Tang Hall Lane. Four more smaller police vehicles were reportedly seen in Tuke Avenue during the raid.

She said: "It didn't really click what it was until we saw the police vans and the armed police. We saw them take two lads away, they were maybe in their thirties. The officer had an evidence bag in his hands, a small one.

"We heard the door go through at about 9.15am, and when we went out at about 9.50am they were taking the big red thing they use to break the door back into the house. We've lived here 20 years, and it's just changed so much, you don't know anybody really."

The Press understands a vehicle was also removed from the property, as well as items from within the house. A scene guard remained at the site of the raid this afternoon.

The police spokeswoman appealed to anyone who was in the area of Butcher’s Terrace or Bishopthorpe Road at around 5.20pm to 5.35pm on Monday, who witnessed the incident or saw either the black Clio or the silver car driving in the area, to contact them.

Anyone with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for the York Serious Crime Team.

Alternatively, phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, quoting reference 12170070342.