THREE men from Southampton have been arrested following a police chase involing armed officers.

Residents reported seeing several marked police vehicles responding to the incident in Bournemouth on Thursday evening, which involved a vehicle that had failed to stop when asked to do so by police.

A black Vauxhall Corsa eventually came to a stop at the side of Suffolk Road, near The Triangle, with a police car stationed alongside it at around 5.30pm.

Witnesses said officers remained at the scene until around 8pm, with a cordon in place.

Three men from Southampton have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to possess a firearm without a certificate and driving-related offences.

A lane closure on the Wessex Way on Friday morning near County Gates is in relation to the police investigation.

Daily Echo: The black Vauxhall Corsa involved in the incident. Picture: Chris TomsThe black Vauxhall Corsa involved in the incident. Picture: Chris Toms

Both the Vauxhall and the police vehicle next to it were taken away by a recovery service on Thursday night.

There were also reports that the NPAS helicopter was overhead in the area at the time of the incident.

A Dorset Police spokeswoman said: "At 4.54pm on Thursday, August 6, officers requested the driver of a black Vauxhall Corsa to stop. It came to a standstill in Suffolk Road in Bournemouth.

"Three men, one aged 21 and two aged 23 and from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to possess a firearm without a certificate and driving-related offences."

The force spokeswoman added: "As part of our investigation, one lane of the A338 Wessex Way in Bournemouth has been closed to allow officers to carry out a search of the area in a safe manner.

"We would like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding while this is carried out."