Armed officers stormed a historic home in Hampstead and police scrambled a helicopter following reports that firearms had been discharged in the area.

Police raided Grade I-listed Romney’s House in Holly Bush Hill yesterday at around 2pm after a concerned member of the public had spotted an air rifle inside the 18th Century home.

The Met’s Trojan firearms unit and several others cleared the building, which is currently being developed.

A police spokeswoman said officers recovered several BB guns – imitation firearms – from the scene. They were confiscated and later destroyed.

No-one was arrested and there will be no investigation.