Train gun alert evacuates station

Armed police awaited the train's arrival in Bournemouth station

A busy train had to be halted by armed officers and a station evacuated after reports that three passengers had a bag of guns.

Four people were arrested after a woman at Basingstoke railway station in Hampshire reported seeing two men and a woman with the bag on a train on Saturday morning.

The 0820 GMT South West Trains service from London to Weymouth was stopped by British Transport Police outside Bournemouth station in Dorset for almost an hour.

The station was evacuated whilst armed officers took up positions before the passenger train was allowed into the station.

The officers searched the 10-carriage train and its passengers as they left but found nothing.

Armed response 'justified'

Four people - three men and a woman - who had been travelling on the train were arrested but were later released without charge.

Superintendent Nick Hazelton, of Dorset Police, said: "Dorset Police's primary concern was the safety of the public and the force's response was proportionate and justified given the circumstances - a member of the public believing that several armed people were on board the train.

"I would like to apologise to the public for the delay and inconvenience caused but I would like to emphasise that the safety of the public is the prime concern of Dorset Police.

"Although the search of the train, its passengers and the area around the train was negative, police enquiries are continuing."

Cordons around the station were eventually lifted at 1215 GMT on Saturday.