By Jenny Noyes
A major police operation in Sydney's south-west that lasted more than five hours has concluded with no arrests and "nothing of interest found".
NSW Police officers locked down a Punchbowl street in a show of force on Wednesday afternoon after a man was detained and assaulted.
A spokeswoman for NSW Police said the man who was allegedly assaulted suffered minor injuries and is now with police.
Officers from Bankstown and Campsie area commands established a perimeter around 3pm and specialist police are on the scene, the spokeswoman said.
Heavily armed officers surrounded a home in Park Avenue, and a number of police cars blocked off the street.
Police negotiators were reportedly speaking with a resident at one of the homes on the street, while officers warned neighbours to get back inside.
According to Seven News, the standoff involved underworld figure Noureddine "Tiger" Laalaa, who was recently released from prison.
The Park Avenue address where police were focussing their efforts is listed under "N Laalaa" in the White Pages.
It was eventually searched and found to be unoccupied.
Specialist police then searched the area for those who may be responsible for the assault, but "did not turn up anything of interest", the spokeswoman said.
Those involved in the alleged altercation are believed to be known to each other and inquiries are continuing.
The location of the police operation at Punchbowl. Credit: Google Maps