A woman has allegedly been threatened by a gun-wielding man in a carpark in Sydney’s west, sparking a major police operation.

Police swarmed the area surrounding Paddock Street and Uhrig Road in Lidcombe at about 7.20am on Tuesday, after reports a man, who witnesses said was armed with a handgun, had threatened a woman in a multi-level carpark.

The man – who was not known to the woman – fled the scene in a white Subaru SUV with cloned number plates, police say.

Woman threatened with gun in carpark: cops

The incident sparked a huge police response, with specialist police called to the scene and members of the public urged to avoid the area as the operation unfolded.

Roads affected included Uhrig Road and Carter and Canning Streets.

Police say no shots have been confirmed as being fired, following an extensive search of the area.

The woman was shaken but not physically injured, police say.

Anyone with information relevant to this incident is urged to contact police.