A man is in custody after large numbers of police responded to an emergency incident in Helensville, keeping residents inside their homes for safety.

A resident who lives on Rautawhiri Rd in Helensville, northwest of Auckland, told the Herald the police eagle helicopter had been hovering over her house for the past half an hour.

”I have been advised by locals that 21 patrol cars are on Mangakura Rd. Residents on Mangakura have been told to stay inside and lock up.”

One resident said the Police Eagle helicopter was flying directly above her home. “Feeling very nervous, is it ok to take kids to school?”

Other residents reported they were keeping themselves and their children indoors as the incident unfolded.

A police spokesperson said: “Police and the Eagle helicopter have been in attendance at an address in Helensville, after receiving a report at 6.51am of a family harm related matter. A man has been taken into Police custody without incident.”

Earlier police cars and the police Eagle helicopter raced to the area, with reports that the Armed Offenders Squad was also there.

Posts on the Helensville and Parakai Community Facebook group reported up to 16 police cars seen travelling at speed on the northwestern motorway heading towards Helensville around 7.50am.

The owner of Caltex Helensville said it was unusual to see so many police in the area.

Prem Chand told the Herald he had seen around five police cars coming through Helensvile from the southern side earlier this morning.

”They were flying past, basically”.

He also heard the police helicopter hovering around the area for about half an hour.

”I was joking to the other people in the area, they were amazed to see something like that in Helensville – it’s quite quiet usually.”

He said it seemed the incident had calmed down now and town was quiet again – but said it could be unfolding in the outskirts of the town.

A staff from Helensville Primary School said they were open.

”Nothing is happening around here. School is going ahead as normal.”

More to come.