ARMED police swooped on a multi-storey car park in Bournemouth yesterday after a woman was carjacked.

Officers were called to Richmond Gardens car park following reports that a woman had her car stolen by a man who threatened her with a knife.

The incident happened in Keswick Road around 1.30pm.

Just two hours later the same vehicle was allegedly involved in a crash closing the Wessex Way for more than an hour.

According to a Dorset Police spokesman the victim had pulled over at the side of the road when she was approached by a man.

He threatened her with a knife, telling her to get out of the car.

The man then drove off in the vehicle - a blue Mazda MX5.

The woman was not injured during the incident.

A Dorset Police spokesman said officers were called to Richmond Gardens car park as part of an ongoing search for the vehicle and the offender.

A number of armed police vehicles sealed off the car park while others entered the multi-storey to carry out a search of the area.

Confused shoppers were allowed to leave the car park, but staff told the Echo that they had not been told by police what was happening.

The police helicopter was also called to assist with the search.

Around 3.11pm police were called away from the car park to Poole Road in Westbourne, near County Gates Roundabout, following reports that the same Mazda had been in collision with a black Ford Fiesta.

A Dorset police spokesperson said: “It is reported the driver of the vehicle ran off.

“A man was later arrested by officers.”

The spokesperson added:“The driver of the Fiesta also suffered injuries in the collision and received treatment from the ambulance service.”

The Wessex Way was closed in both directions between the Princess Road junction and Bournemouth West Roundabout for nearly two hours while emergency services dealt with the incident.

The road eventually reopened shortly after 5pm, but motorists in the area faced long delays.