A MAN has been charged after an alleged hostage incident in Moordown.

The 42-year-old, who lives in Watford, Hertfordshire, is accused of false imprisonment, arson, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of a class A drug and two counts of criminal damage.

He will appear before magistrates in Poole today, Thursday.

The charges follow an incident in Parley Road on Saturday, February 3. Police were called to allegations that a woman was being held hostage at a property at around 7.20am. It was alleged she was being detained by a man with a gun.

Specialist firearm officers attended and discovered the woman was no longer inside the address. She was uninjured.

However, a man remained in the address, and a cordon was put in place. Shortly after 1.05pm that day, a man was arrested and subsequently released under investigation.

Police allegedly seized a loaded crossbow and two weapons, believed to be imitation firearms.