Three arrested in connection with attempted vehicle theft and damage in Southsea

We have arrested three teenagers in connection with attempted vehicle theft and damage to vehicles in Southsea.

We were called shortly after 2.30am this morning (Monday 6 February) to a report that three people had been seen causing damage to a number of vehicles on St Augustine Road.

One of those involved was also seen attempting to gain access to one of the vehicles.

Officers attended and enquiries revealed that three people were also causing damage to vehicles on Festing Road, including a motorcycle which they began pushing along the road.

Police conducted a search of the area and arrested two 16-year-old boys from Portsmouth, one on suspicion of attempted theft of a motor vehicle and the second on suspicion of attempted theft of a motor vehicle and vehicle interference.

A 14-year-old from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and attempted theft of a motor vehicle. On his arrest, he became verbally and physically abusive towards two officers, who were not injured. He was further arrested on suspicion of common assault of an emergency worker and using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour with intent to cause fear of/provoke unlawful violence.

All three remain in police custody at the current time and our investigation into these incidents is ongoing today.

We would like to reassure our residents that we do not underestimate the impact that offences of this nature has on victims, and we continue our dedicated work targeting those committing vehicle theft and attempted vehicle theft in the city.

We ask people to please keep reporting incidents to us when they occur, either via 101 or the online reporting tool on our website.

Call 999 in case of emergencies.