ARMED police and the dog unit descended on a Poole tower block late at night as arrest enquiries into a stabbing took place across the town.

Officers attended Nelson Court on Tuesday evening in large numbers, with residents being told to "stay in their homes and lock the door".

The response was part of the investigation into an altercation in the car park at Sainsbury's in Pitwines Close on Monday afternoon.

As reported, the victim, a man aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital by the air ambulance.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A woman has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in relation to the incident.

On Tuesday night, armed police were seen putting Nelson Court on lockdown, with the police helicopter circling overhead. The residential block off Lagland Street was secured by officers, who reportedly occupied every stairwell in the premises and would not allow people to leave their flats.

A resident of the block, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Around nine police vehicles arrived at once at around 10.30pm.

“They were all armed response and a dog unit was also all fully kitted up.

“They told people to stay in their homes and lock the door. You could hear the dogs in the stairwells and they had all the exits covered.

“Before they arrived there was nothing going on and they all left abruptly after about an hour and a half.”

Yesterday, police continued their investigations across the town. In the afternoon a large armed officer presence was seen in the Old Orchard area.

Marked and unmarked police vehicles could be seen near large residential tower blocks, with officers carrying firearms in attendance.

A Dorset Police spokeswoman said: “Following enquiries, two men – aged 21 and 22 and both of no fixed abode – have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

“They are currently assisting detectives with their enquiries.

“A 20-year-old woman from Poole has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.”

The victim’s condition is still described as stable by police after he was taken to hospital by the helicopter, which had landed in Poole Park.

The ambulance service sent a land ambulance, air ambulance and other specialist crews to attend the incident on Monday.

Police carried out initial searches of the area around Sainsbury’s and a cordon was set up at the scene to allow examinations to take place.