Palmerston North Police are apologising to residents in Highbury who were frightened or displaced during an operation last night

Cordons have been lifted from the Brentwood Avenue area, where officers were working to find a person of interest.

It's the same area where a man fled after a pointing a gun at officers on Tuesday night - but it's unclear if the incidents are related.

Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says they're still working to find their person of interest - and are accepting any information from locals.

He's assuring the public the operation was necessary despite the disruptions.