Residents say 'it's been shocking' after evacuation

"It's been shocking," says a woman who has been forced out of her home with no clear idea of when she can return.

Frances Pulley is one of the many residents living on or near Suffolk Avenue in Christchurch, who had to leave the area on Monday after a suspected explosive device was found by police.

The 50m (164ft) police cordon stretches around the area but Pulley said she was able to get inside her home to retrieve her dogs and was given 15 minutes to collect her possessions.

The device was removed from inside the property that evening but the area is still sealed off by Dorset Police.

"You don't expect this to happen here, it really is quite upsetting and unsettling," she said.

Pulley was at work when she was alerted to the evacuation by her neighbours in a WhatsApp chat.

"I was flabbergasted, I couldn't believe it," she said.

She said she has been staying with her mother and will not return home until it is deemed safe by the police, who she praised for their work.

She added that the community was a "cross-section of people" from families with young children to elderly residents.

She said that people have been offering to help each other out but the council's response had been "disappointing".

"In these sort of situations the neighbours will all pull together and we have experienced that already," Pulley said.

"It's a little bit stressful," said Liam Dunsdon-Stott-Bolton who had to leave his home along with his wife and dog.

He said: "Having to find a place early in the morning was a bit of a surprise, we didn't really know what was going on at the time but luckily we had family in the area so we were able to go and stay with them."

"It's been very worrying because we're actually quite close to the centre of it," said Dunsdon-Stott-Bolton.

He added that it was "frustrating but one of those situations where you have to keep your fingers crossed that the next day will be better than the previous one"

Police have arrested two men and a woman on suspicion of firearms offences and they remain in police custody.

Dorset Police said: "We understand residents' concerns while the incident is being dealt with.

"Dorset Police and BCP Council are working together to support affected residents, who have been provided with advice how to contact the council's team for support if they could not find alternative accommodation.

"As searches are continuing and the cordon remains in place, the council and police have liaison officers on site and direct support and updates about the ongoing situation will be provided to the affected residents."

Rob Carter, is semi-retired, he said about 50-100 people are currently out of their homes.

He has been staying in a hotel with his wife and did not know from one day to another what was going on.

He said: "It's just dragged on and on from day to day and there's never any information - that's the worst thing. we just don't know what's happening. If someone said we'll be out for a fortnight then we'd know but it's living from day to day that's the problem.

"At the moment I am booking a Travelodge on a day to day basis because we are always expecting that we'll be allowed to go home but practically it's awful you've got food going off in the fridge, and we're having to eat out - it's no small expense."

A BCP Council spokesperson said: "We understand this is a difficult time for residents and are working with Dorset Police to support where we can as this incident continues to develop.

"We are prioritising this support for those residents most in need. Our liaison officers are on site and our Adult Social Care team is working to ensure the wellbeing of any vulnerable people.

"Residents able to make their own accommodation arrangements are encouraged to do so, but those who need help finding alternative accommodation should contact us."