Dorset Police news site

Detectives continuing to investigate reported firearms and criminal damage offences in Bournemouth are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

At around 8.45am on Friday 18 August 2023 a man aged in his 40s was driving a red Volkswagen Scirocco along Christchurch Road in Boscombe and pulled up at the traffic lights at the junction with The Crescent and St John’s Road.

As he was waiting at the lights, a white van reportedly pulled up behind him and a man got out and allegedly began to attack his vehicle, causing damage to the rear nearside window. It was reported that the man got back into the van, which then pulled up alongside the victim and the driver showed what appeared to be a black handle of a firearm in his waistband, before the vehicle left the scene down St John’s Road.

Following enquiries, a 19-year-old man from Poole was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and a 42-year-old Poole man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

After further investigative work, detectives have also reportedly recovered an imitation firearm.

The arrested men have been released under investigation.

Detective Constable Kate Brew, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We have been carrying out detailed enquiries into this matter and have arrested two suspects as part of our investigation.

“From these enquiries, we understand there were a number of members of the public in the vicinity around the time of the incident. I am now in a position to appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened or has captured any relevant dashcam footage to please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230130461. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.