A man is in police custody after armed officers swooped on a residential area of Inverness early yesterday morning.
People living in MacLennan Crescent were asked to stay inside their homes when officers arrived at around 5.40am.
It is the second time in two months that armed police have raided a city address.
An upstairs flat and rear garden area were cordoned off for most of the day yesterday as forensic officers, wearing white suits and face masks, carried out their investigations.
One officer was seen taking a camera into the property.
Residents in MacLennan Crescent said they did not want to discuss what had happened.
One man said he awoke to see police vans and armed officers in the street at 6.30am.
A police spokesman said: “Police responded to a call expressing concerns for a female on MacLennan Crescent, Inverness.
“Having confirmed her safety, concerns emerged for the well-being of a male occupant within a dwelling close by.
“Following deployment of armed and protected officers, a male person was safely detained and is presently in police custody.”
He added that inquiries into the incident were continuing.
Inspector Alasdair Goskirk, who was at the scene, thanked residents in MacLennan Crescent for their patience and understanding whilst the matter was being dealt with.
Inverness Central councillor Donnie Kerr said: “It is a very worrying incident if a young girl has been attacked.”
In April, armed officers carried out a raid on a house in Woodside Brae in Westhill, on the other side of the city.
Seven marked and unmarked vehicles converged on the residential street before a man was taken away.