POLICE have recovered eight weapons and a haul of ammunition following a four-day search of Bournemouth heathland.

The firearms were found on Kinson Common and the discovery has been described as “a serious concern” by senior officers.

Local residents have been left shocked by the find on their doorstep.

The Common area, which runs along Poole Lane, has been sealed off since Friday after a dog walker found an empty shotgun case in a wooded area.

Up to 30 officers have been have been searching day and night, although it is understood that the operation is now being scaled back. Police are not revealing the precise nature of the cache.

The first found on Friday is a shotgun. Officers described the other weapons as “conventional firearms” but would not elaborate further.

Chief Inspector Ashley Adams of Bournemouth Police said: “The discovery of these firearms is a serious concern. At this stage we are not able to say where the firearms have come from but we believe they may be connected to serious crimes in Dorset.

“All the weapons will be subject to forensic examination and we will continue to search the common for any further evidence.”

CI Adams thanked local residents for their patience and support and urged anyone with information – or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious, to get in touch.

Officers went door to door over the weekend to reassure the community after the massive police presence in and around the common.

Inspector Ian Jarred said: “Public safety and reassurance is our top priority.”

Up to 30 officers were involved in the search operation which went on under floodlights as darkness fell.

Cllr Claire Smith, member for Kinson North, which includes Kinson Common, said: “It’s really shocking that this has been going on and that these people have used such a well-loved area that a lot of children use, right next to a school as well, for something that could have been a potential disaster if one of those children had found it.

“The police are doing a really good job, they took it seriously right from the beginning and they’ve been vindicated in their approach and the resources they put into it.”

Poole Lane resident Katrina Sims, 48, whose house overlooks the site of the discovery, said: “Everyone was shocked; we couldn’t believe it.

“There’s a little park over there for the children and the area is always full of people walking their dogs.”

Betty Firth, 89, said: “We wondered what it was. You wonder if these things happen further off and then the guns get thrown in there. It’s the first time we’ve ever had any trouble round here.”

Estate agent employee Pam Matthews, 58, said: “I think it’s a bit peculiar, we walk in that area and you don’t think about people putting guns there. I know a lot of people use the Common, you can understand people with children being worried.”

Builder Ben Lawrence, 47, said: “It’s just a sign of the times; it doesn’t matter where you live.”

Housewife and mum-of-three Trudy Harrod, 46, told the Daily Echo: “I’m surprised about the guns; we have been hearing all sorts of rumours,” while Sara Osborne, 46, said: “I’ve got a five-year-old and a 12-year-old who plays down there. I’m slightly concerned.”

In a statement, the Friends of Kinson Common said: “We would like to reassure all visitors to Kinson Common that it is perfectly safe. Please don’t be put off visiting our superb nature reserve.”