The incident led to buses being diverted and the police helicopter hovering over the area for some time. A road has been closed after a car was abandoned after colliding with a bus stop. Read more: Latest updates after gun incident and crash in West Howe
What happened? Armed police, the force’s helicopter, officers and paramedics were sent to the area of Moore Avenue at around 7.48pm on Saturday after initial reports of a two-vehicle crash. One of the vehicles was then involved in a collision with a bus stop, resulting in a firearm being discharged during the incident. People were seen running on foot from the scene. Officers attended and following extensive inquiries a vehicle was stopped in Ringwood Road in Poole and two men were arrested on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. A suspected air weapon was also discovered. Scene on Moore Avenue after the crash
“The car was flying around the corner” An eyewitness told the Daily Echo: “The blue car was flying around the corner on Moore Avenue on the wrong side of the road. “I flashed my lights and went up the curb, and then he went up the curb and flew through the bus stop. “Two hooded individuals ran off. One ran back and grabbed a bag from the car and then took off towards Rochester Road. Another person ran off and grabbed a mobile phone from the car and ran off. “That’s when the police showed up with an armed response and paramedics.”
Was anyone hurt? No one was injured when the weapon was fired. However, two people were taken to hospital as a precaution due to injuries sustained in the collision. These are not believed to be serious. Damage on Moore Ave
Have people been arrested? Two men have been arrested on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Which roads were closed?
Road closures were put in place on Moore Avenue as investigations were carried out.
Buses are also being diverted as a result of police activity.
5/5a/14 will be diverted due to police activity while we are unable to enter the area. all services will use the length of Kinson Road in both directions excluding all stops from Moore Ave to Kinson Road 5/5a/14 Respectively. We apologize for any inconvenience caused^KM
— morebus (@Morebusco) August 6, 2022
‘It was crazy’ A person who lives near the scene said: “I heard it happening. It was crazy, everyone has heard it, I had friends text me last night asking if I got shot. “I wasn’t really scared, I just wanted to know what happened. I knew it was very serious because the road was closed and the police were everywhere.”
What did the police say? Chief Constable Richard Bell, of Dorset Police, said: “We understand that reports of this nature will cause concern in the local community and I would like to reassure members of the public that we have deployed significant resources to the area as officers carry out extensive inquiries into to identify those believed to be involved and establish what had happened. “I would like to thank members of the community for their patience and understanding during the road closures and as we investigate the incident. I would also like to thank members of the public who have already contacted us with information. “Any witnesses or anyone with information who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, by email [email protected] or by calling 101, citing incident number 6:646.”
