An armed police operation has been taking place in two Christchurch suburbs this morning.

A Christchurch resident said she saw a vehicle being stolen at the Halswell Quarry car park, before a member of the public chased the stolen vehicle.

Chris Lynch Media

Another eyewitness, who had been walking in the area, said she saw a grey vehicle with a young male dressed in black clothing, including a hood, and wearing blue hospital gloves.

She said the man briefly drove the vehicle, stopped near the café area, then ran into a nearby field.

The eyewitness said she phoned police, and the man then approached her, yelled at her to move, and ran toward her while holding a knife, before getting back into the vehicle.

Chris Lynch Media

She said the vehicle then narrowly missed several walkers and drove close behind her car while her son was inside it.

The incident has prompted a large police response to Halswell.

The Halswell Quarry car park has been blocked off by police as officers continue to carry out inquiries.

Chris Lynch Media understands a house in Hornby has become a key focus of the investigation.

A police spokeswoman said “police were notified of a suspicious person in a balaclava chasing another person in Halswell Quarry Park around 10.45am.