A police presence has been spotted searching for weapons in bushes along a street in Weymouth. 

Police were reportedly seen at the junction of Newstead Road and Knightsdale Road close to the Rodwell Trail this afternoon at around 1.15pm. 

One eyewitness said: "There is a big police presence in the area with three police cars on the scene. 

"I saw officers searching for something in the bushes."

A Dorset Police spokesperson said the searches were part of 'weapon sweeps' across the seaside town by specialist search officers and Weymouth police.

These are targeted searches in specific areas, in which officers are seeking knives and other weapons that may be hidden for future use. 

Police say offenders are known to hide or ‘stash’ weapons in secret locations for later use when needed.

This avoids them being caught with the weapon at home or while moving in public. These sweeps are designed to remove these weapons from circulation so that they cannot be used in the future.

Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Inspector Sam Goom said: “Weymouth continues to be a safe place to live, but we know that a very small number of people carry knives or weapons.

"Dorset Police remains proactive in preventing and detecting knife crime. Weapons sweeps are an example of this. We will continue to work hard to remove knives and weapons from our streets. If you know that someone is carrying a weapon or know where one is hidden, please tells us.”

Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.