POLICE in Bournemouth searched throughout the night for a missing “vulnerable” woman.

A spokeswoman from Dorset Police said the 50-year-old, who is from the Bournemouth area, was found safe and well on Albert Road in Bournemouth town centre at 7.23am today.

A major search, which saw the police helicopter drafted in to assist, was launched after the alarm was first raised at 8.51pm.

Witnesses reported seeing approximately five police cars on Heron Court Road in Winton yesterday evening.

The police helicopter was heard by residents across the borough throughout the night.