Man arrested and officers search 79 people as part of response to serious assault

A man has been arrested as part of our investigation into a serious assault in Southampton, which led to increased police powers being authorised and 79 people being stopped and searched.

Members of the public discovered an 18-year-old man with stab wounds in Manor Road North at around 2.45am on Saturday (November 26).

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but has since been discharged.

Officers have been conducting extensive enquiries since then and today (28 November) a 16-year-old boy from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.

He remains in police custody at this time.

In response to this incident, increased police powers to stop and search anyone in the wider area around Veracity Recreation Ground were authorised over the weekend until 7am today.

During that time we:

• Stopped and searched 79 people and two vehicles
• Dealt with four people through community resolutions
• Made two arrests

A 17-year-old boy from Hythe was arrested on suspicion of possessing a lock knife and has been released under investigation.

A 17-year-old Southampton boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and possessing a knuckle duster.

Both have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Among those dealt with by a community resolution was a 16-year-old Southampton boy who was in possession of cannabis. He was ordered to attend a drugs awareness course and engage with youth services.

Inspector Stuart Baker from the Southampton East Neighbourhoods Policing Team said: “I hope that the action we’ve taken since this incident - which includes seizing weapons and cannabis - shows how seriously we take knife crime.

“We do not authorise these enhanced powers lightly and did so on this occasion due to intelligence about people possessing weapons in the area and potential public order offences.

“While the timescale for us to use these powers has now ended, officers continue to patrol the area around the Veracity Recreation Ground and we are constantly reviewing the information available to us.

“If we receive any more similar information we will not hesitate to reinstate these powers to keep residents safe.

“Please continue to report information to us and if you have any concerns and see officers on patrol, feel free to speak to them.”

ENDS