A MAN has been hospitalised after sustaining serious head injuries following an assault in a Bournemouth park.

The man in his 20s was attacked at Kings Park in Boscombe on Tuesday night.

Some residents reported hearing gunfire, whilst helicopters and armed police were seen in the area at Pokesdown Station until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A police spokesman said: “At 10.16pm on Tuesday July 7, Dorset Police received a report from the ambulance service that a man aged in his 20s had been assaulted at Kings Park in Bournemouth.

“He was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his head.

“His condition is described as serious.

“Officers attended and carried out a search of the area, including armed officers.

“Enquiries are underway to establish the circumstances of the incident. No arrests have been made.”

A cordon was put in place at the southern entrance to the park near Kings Park Skate Park but has since been lifted.

An employee at Sydenhams builders merchants said: “A few people said that they heard shots fired.

“There was a police helicopter going around and around until late on Tuesday night.

“Some people also said that they saw armed police down at Pokesdown Station, it must all be connected.”

A resident, who lives in Boscombe Grove, added: “I didn’t see anything but I heard the helicopter; it was keeping me awake.

“That was at about 11pm and must have been up for more than an hour.

“I didn’t know there was an assault, but I guess that’s what they were looking for but there’s so many places here for people to hide.”