Dorset Police news site

Two men have been charged and are due to appear in court following a reported collision and firearms incident in Bournemouth.

Dorset Police received a report at 7.48pm on Saturday 6 August 2022 of a road traffic collision in Moore Avenue in Bournemouth involving two vehicles. One of the vehicles was subsequently also involved in a collision with a nearby bus stop.

It was reported that what was believed to be an air-powered firearm was discharged during the incident, however nobody was injured as a result of this, and people were seen making off from the scene on foot.

Two people were taken to hospital as a precaution due to injuries sustained from the collision that were not believed to be serious.

Officers attended and, following extensive enquiries, a vehicle was stopped in Ringwood Road in Poole and two men were arrested. A suspected air weapon was recovered as well as a quantity of suspected class A drugs. During searches of an address two knives were also recovered.

An 18-year-old Poole man has been charged with possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, affray, threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, criminal damage, dangerous driving, driving without valid insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

A 22-year-old man from Bournemouth has been charged with possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, affray and threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place.

Both are due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on Monday 8 August 2022.

Detective Inspector David Gorman, of Bournemouth CID, said: “There will understandably have been some concern among the local community with the nature of this report and large police presence in the area over the weekend.

“This has been a fast-moving investigation and I would like to reassure the community that from our enquiries there is nothing to indicate any threat to the wider public. Following detailed enquiries, we have now charged two individuals in connection with the incident.

“I would continue to appeal for any witnesses, or anyone with information that might assist our investigation, to please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220127903. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.