DETECTIVES investigating a number of knifepoint robberies in Bournemouth have arrested a man, following a search involving police dogs and the helicopter.

Four incidents were reported to have occurred on the night of Tuesday, November 24 and on each occasion the victims were approached by a man who threatened them with a knife and demanded their mobile phones.

The first attack took place near the Lansdowne Roundabout at around 9.25pm, the second near to East Cliff by Bournemouth Beach at around 9.35pm and the third at the junction of Landsdowne Road and Holdenhurst Road at around 11pm.

The fourth robbery occurred near Asda, St Pauls Roundabout, around 11.15pm.

All of the victims that night were men aged in their 20s.

A further robbery, involving similar circumstances, occurred at around 11.30pm on Monday, November 30, in Howard Road.

On this occasion the victim was a man aged in his 40s.

Earlier this week the Daily Echo ran a CCTV appeal featuring an image of a man detectives wished to trace.

At 8.35pm on Thursday, December 3, Dorset Police was called to a report of a sixth robbery offence in Lowther Road.

Officers attended and carried out a search of the area, assisted by the NPAS helicopter and the dog section.

A 23-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Karen Penn, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “Our investigation into these incidents remain ongoing and I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident in Lowther Road, or those that reportedly occurred in the other locations mentioned, to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200177194.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.