SIX men have been arrested following an armed robbery at a house in Viables.

Three people forced their way into a house in Skippetts Lane East just before 11pm on Saturday.

Detectives said the occupants were threatened with a firearm and ordered to hand over money and an expensive watch.

Two men from Basingstoke, aged 23 and 30, and a 45-year-old man from London, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

They are on bail pending further enquiries until April 23.

Another three men from Basingstoke, aged 19, 20 and 21, have also been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. They remain in police custody.

Detective Inspector Ben Chivers said: “We believe this was an isolated incident but clearly we will not tolerate the use of any firearms in Basingstoke and are conducting a thorough investigation to identify those responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Basingstoke CID by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.