Two charged with firearms offences as cordon lifted

A woman and a man have appeared in court charged with firearms offences after a suspected explosive device was found inside a property.

The device, discovered by police on Suffolk Avenue, Christchurch at about 09:30 BST on Monday, led to dozens of residents living nearby having to leave their homes.

Dorset Police said after the initial device was removed by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, further searches found more. A 50m (164ft) cordon that was in place has been removed and people have been able to return to their properties.

Jacqueline Davis, 60, and James Davis, 33 appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court and were remanded in custody to appear again on 26 June.

Police said they have both been charged with failing to comply with shotgun certificates, failing to comply with firearm certificates, possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger or cause injury or damage to property and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

In addition James Davis has been charged with a further count of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Dorset Police said a man in his 60s, also arrested on suspicion of of firearms offences who is still in custody, has been taken to hospital for treatment for a separate medical issue.

Dorset Police said it had been working with Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council to support residents who have had to leave their homes.

Earlier, Det Sup Andy Bell, of Dorset Police, said: "We would like to thank the community for their patience while the cordon is in place.

"We absolutely recognise that it is disruptive and impactive and we are working as quickly as we can to reduce the impact on residents."

While the police cordon was in place residents had to queue up and wait to be allowed back into their homes one at a time to feed pets or collect essential items.

Clive King, who has lived on the street for 26 years, was forced to leave his home on Monday.

He slept in his car since then to monitor the scene and said "I'm looking forward to my first hot shower".

Roy Stacey, another long-term resident, said he was eager to get back to his cat Archer: "It's very strange. We've never had anything like this at all, you never see a police car down here."