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Violent disorder in St Mary’s leads to police promise to take firm action against troublemakers

Press Releases

Published: 24/06/2009


Police in Southampton say they will be taking robust action against a number of people in part of Southampton involved in a feud which has regularly turned into acts of violence, criminal damage, and arsons over the last few months.

Senior officers are promising a firm stance after the latest incidents which happened on Monday night and early hours of Tuesday morning in the St Mary’s and London Road area.

Bitterne CID is investigating the latest incidents and are appealing for witnesses.

At around 9.20pm on Monday, June 22, a 20-year-old man was driving along St Mary’s Road near it’s junction with Argyle Road. He had a friend and his dog in the car. A small blue hatchback pulled in front of them and around five youths got out. They were joined by others. Some had weapons including stick and knives. They then threatened and attacked the victim and damaged the car smashing the rear window. The friend managed to escape. Luckily the victim was not badly hurt but was left very shocked by what happened.

Police were called to the scene and during the course of the evening a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were arrested in connection with the incident. Both men have now been charged with violent disorder and appeared in court today where they were remanded in custody to appear again in court in a weeks time.  A 15-year-old boy and two men aged 25 and 27 have also been arrested in connection with the incident.

Then at sometime between midnight and 1am on Tuesday, June 23 a group of people tried to get into the ‘Princes Restaurant’ in London Road. They failed but damaged a car parked around the back. A 19-year old man, a 25-year-old man and a 27-year-old man have been arrested in connection with this incident.

Police believe the two incidents are related and are appealing for anyone with information about either incident to contact them.

They should call Bitterne CID on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers, the charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. These two incidents are just one of several similar incidents that have happened over the few months in the area.

Chief Inspector Alison Scott said: “We have tried many tactics to sort out the problem a few individuals have caused in the St Mary’s area. We believe it started because of some sort of feud between local families.  

“Tactics to try and get those involved to sit down and talk to each other to sort out their differences seem to have failed so far so we will now be taking a very firm stance on it. We are taking action to arrest all those involved in these crimes and put an end to this.

“We have high visibility and covert patrols in the area and will not hesitate to deal robustly with anyone wanting to continue to cause trouble.”


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