Alleged theft from firearms stash in shipping container on Rollestone Road in Holbury leads to 13 arrests

THIRTEEN people have been arrested as police probe an alleged theft from a stash of firearms found inside a shipping container in Holbury.

The alarm was raised at 11am on Saturday, with reports a group of youths discovered the container off Rollestone Road and took some of the weapons.

Officers launched an investigation to establish which items were taken, where they are now and who they belong to.

Holbury Manor Pond was sealed off to allow local searches to be carried out as part of their enquiries, but the cordon has since been lifted.

A New Forest police chief has sought to reassure the public amid the large number of arrests of people, aged from 15 to 41, in relation to the incident.

Many were arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, with most of the teenagers also on suspicion of burglary.

There are also some threats and drugs allegations.

Ch. Insp. Nick Marsden said: “We understand that news of this incident may cause concern in the local community, but rest assured that we have committed significant resources over the weekend in response to this incident.

“Our officers have been conducting thorough local area searches, have searched a number of addresses across the Hythe area as part of our enquiries and made a large number of arrests to ascertain the exact circumstances of the incident.

“This is believed to be an isolated incident, and while we appreciate that residents will be concerned, there is not believed to be a wider threat to the public.”

He added: “Any residents who have concerns in relation to this incident are more than welcome to speak with officers who will be conducting additional patrols in the local area.”

A 41-year-old Holbury man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

A 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, both from Holbury, were each arrested on suspicion of burglary and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Officers also arrested a 16-year-old Fawley boy and a 15-year-old boy from Hythe on suspicion of the same offences.

Two 15-year-old boys, one from Blackfield and the other from Hythe, were each arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Another 15-year-old boy, from Holbury, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to possess a firearm without a certificate.

A 34-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, both from Pennington, were each arrested on suspicion of cultivating a cannabis plant and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Officers also arrested a 36-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man, both from Hythe, on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Finally, a 40-year-old Hythe woman was arrested on suspicion of threatening communications and handling stolen goods.

All suspects have been bailed or released under investigation.

Anyone has any information should contact Hampshire officers online at tinyurl.com/4sem6xcv or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 44230345644.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.