Armed police attended an attempted robbery in Bournemouth town centre on Saturday night.

Officers were called at 6.30pm to Old Christchurch Road after the incident outside a building.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Officers have so far been unable to speak to the alleged victim and the circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

"No injuries have been reported. Officers attended and detained three men, who have been released without charge.

"Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or untoward along Old Christchurch Road is urged to contact 101 quoting incident 12:371."

Witnesses reported seeing several armed officers in Old Christchurch Road.

One said a police van was blocking access to the road by O'Neills pub around 8pm.