THIRTEEN people have been arrested after guns were allegedly stolen from a shipping container in a New Forest village.

Police were called to Rollestone Road in Holbury after reports that a group of youths had taken some of the weapons.

One of the people arrested was held on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

No information has been released about what type of guns were in the container or why they were there.

Police are trying to establish which items were taken, where they all are now, and who they belong to.

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The head of New Forest police, Chief Inspector Nick Marsden, said: "We understand that news of this incident may cause concern in the local community, but rest assured we have committed significant resources in response to this incident.

"Our officers have searched a number of addresses and made a large number of arrests.

"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."

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Police were alerted at around 11am last Saturday and cordoned off Holbury Manor Pond as part of their investigation.

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 held on suspicion of burglary and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Officers also detained 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 arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate.

A 15-year-old Holbury boy was held 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 detained on suspicion of cultivating a cannabis plant and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

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

A 40-year-old Hythe woman was held on suspicion of making threatening communications and handling stolen goods.

All 13 have either been bailed or released under investigation.

A police spokesperson said: "We are continuing to conduct a thorough investigation and our enquiries remain ongoing. We are unable to disclose any further information at this time."