Residents evacuated from Poole street after car bomb scare

22:20 GMT. That was the time on Friday evening when police confirmed a parked car in Sherwood Avenue, Poole, required an urgent inspection. The discovery triggered an evacuation of homes on the residential street as officers responded to reports of suspicious items inside the vehicle.

Dorset Police initially visited the property following tips that a nearby car held offensive weapons and other odd objects. By 22:20 GMT, the situation had escalated to a full bomb scare. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived to secure the scene. They established that the object in question was not a viable explosive device and did not pose a risk to the public.

Officers also searched a property in Park Homer Drive in Colehill, near Wimborne. No explosive devices were found at that location either. No arrests were made. The investigation remains open, though police concluded their searches on Sunday.

A police spokesperson explained that a cordon was set up as a precaution. This included moving residents out of properties in the immediate vicinity. After EOD experts made the suspected device safe, the thorough process allowed evacuated residents to return to their homes.

The spokesperson noted that there is no information to indicate a wider risk to the public. They thanked those affected for their patience and understanding during the disruption.