POLICE officers were camped outside a Woodley home for more than five hours today after they were called to a fear for welfare incident in the early afternoon.

The exact nature of the incident is not yet known, but officers were deployed to the scene in Kingfisher Drive shortly after midday.

They continued to guard the semi-detatched property while other officers were seen going in and out of the house in what was understood to be a 'stand-off' situation.

Neighbours speculated on social media a swarm of officers had been spotted in the day including armed units with shields and police dogs.

However, a police spokesman said the force was dealing with an ongoing incident and could not provide any more information.

The spokesman said: "We were called to Kingfisher Drive at midday to a fear for welfare incident.

"The incident is ongoing."

Three police cars were seen parked near the house and a specialist police dog vehicle was also parked nearby.

Neighbours stood close to the house were seen discussing the police's presence in the area. 

Reading Chronicle:

At around 4pm on Facebook one resident wrote: "6x police cars, a police dog car and another unmarked car. I've just noticed it whilst walking my dog. Police standing at end of a part of Kingfisher."

More to follow.