Dispersal order issued for Portsmouth following large fight
Police say the altercation is not linked to the stabbing of a teenage boy the day before
Police have issued a dispersal order in the Fratton area of Portsmouth following a large fight involving a large group of people.
The altercation broke out at around 12.13pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday 26th) in Fratton Road.
Officers have implemented a Section 34 dispersal order covering the areas in the attached map, which includes Holbrook Road, Lake Road, Station Street, Arundel Street and Market Way.
The order, which was put in place at 12.52pm on Sunday, is currently due to be in place until 12.51pm today (Monday 27th).
Officers have been given the power to order a person to leave the areas concerned with no return within the specified time period, along with the power to seize anything used in the 'commission of anti-social behaviour'.
Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.
It comes a day after a 16-year-old boy was injured in a suspected stabbing in Arundel Street on Saturday evening.
He has been taken to hospital for treatment, and is in a stable condition with his injuries not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.
Two 17-year-old boys, a 16-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old man, all from Portsmouth, and a 17-year-old boy from Gosport were taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
Portsmouth Chief Inspector Fifi Gulam-Husen, said:
"I know that Fratton Road will have been busy (Sunday) afternoon and that people in the area will have been worried having seen this disorder taking place.
"I’m also aware that the community will be still be concerned following the news that a 16-year-old boy was seriously assaulted in the city centre yesterday evening.
"I would like to reassure you that we do not believe these incidents to be connected in any way at the current time, and all the information we have suggests they are both isolated incidents involving people known to each other.
"You can expect to see an increased police presence on Fratton Road and the surrounding area today as officers carry out dedicated patrols in response to the incident this afternoon.
"Please be reassured that enquiries into the circumstances of this incident are being progressed and we will have a number of officers in the area who are approachable if you have any concerns, or any information."