ARMED police swooped on a house in Boscombe in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Specialist officers from the armed response unit kitted up with assault rifles and pistols were sent to a house in Christchurch Road just before 7.30am.

The operation was mounted following up the discovery of weapons, which included a shot gun and ammunition, in the Boscombe area earlier this year.

A man was arrested on suspicion of unlawfully possessing fire arms and charged yesterday afternoon.

Uniformed officers closed Christchurch Road between the junctions of Boscombe Spa Road and Wharncliffe Road around 7.30am while officers, armed with guns and shields, swiftly carried out their operation.

Following the arrest, forensic officers were seen examining a basement flat for evidence.

Boscombe resident Nadine Hewson said she had been told some guns had been found in the area recently.

She said: “I heard all the commotion but didn’t think it would be an armed raid.

“There have definitely been some issues recently around here although we don’t usually have a lot of trouble. We’re a bit away from the Crescent.”

Alan Wardle, 48, also a nearby resident said: “There are always sirens going off around here so you tend not to think too much of it.

“I had heard there was a raid but assumed it was to do with drugs. I’m not really surprised to be honest.”

Many residents along the road were surprised to hear they had slept through the incident.

One added: “You get used to hearing all the sirens and shouting and such.

“In the end you tend to block out any noise.”

Motorists travelling along Christchurch Road yesterday morning were diverted by police while the armed response units carried out their operation.

The road was reopened around 7.45am.

Police refused to disclose where and when weapons were found earlier this year although it is believed they were discovered by a member of the public.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “The incident related to weapons being found in the Boscombe area earlier this year.

“Armed officers attended a Boscombe address and arrested a man on suspicion of unlawfully possessing fire arms.”

A 46-year-old Bournemouth man is due to appear at Bournemouth Magistrates court next month charged with two counts of possessing a fire arm and two counts of possessing prohibited ammunition.