Major disturbance in Bournemouth leads to injuries and arrests
Police say it's been reported that a knife and a glass bottle were used in the incident
Last updated 27th Jan 2024
Police are continuing to investigate following a major disturbance in Bournemouth which left five people injured.
Dorset Police received a report at 2.46pm yesterday (Thursday 25 January) of a disturbance involving approximately six young people in Meyrick Road at the Lansdowne.
Officers attended and two men – aged 24 and 25, both from Bournemouth – were arrested and taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries. They were subsequently discharged from hospital and have now been charged with violent disorder.
Both men are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 27 January 2024.
A 17-year-old girl from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of assault and wounding with intent. She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Two male teenagers and a man aged in his 20s sustained minor injuries during the incident and were also taken to hospital for treatment.
Following further enquiries, a 19-year-old woman from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Two male teenagers and a man aged in his 20s sustained minor injuries during the incident and were also taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bell, of BCP CID, said: “From our early enquiries, we believe this incident involved two groups of young people who were known to each other and there was no wider threat to others in the area.
“Officers arrived on the scene and the situation was quickly contained, allowing treatment to be given to those who had sustained injuries and fast-time enquiries to be conducted.
“It is reported that a knife and a glass bottle were used in the incident and thankfully, there were no serious injuries.
“We understand that this was a busy time of day near to the college and there would have been a number of students and members of the public who witnessed what happened.
“I would ask anyone with information or footage in relation to this incident to please contact Dorset Police.
“A policing presence will remain in the vicinity as further enquiries are taking place. Our neighbourhood policing teams will be carrying out high-visibility reassurance patrols in the area and can be approached by anyone with information or concerns.”
Local resident Chris Charalambous, who lives nearby, expressed his shock and confusion. He said: “I see a whole section of the road has been cordoned off just outside the college. As we were walking down Old Christchurch Road we saw another three police vans and two ambulances and we wondered what was going on.
Chris said he can see the incident from his bedroom window: “It was very scary to see. It’s a bit quieter now; there are just a few police cars out there making sure no one goes where the crime took place, but there’s still a police presence there almost 18 hours after it happened.”
Phil Sayles, Principal and Chief Executive of Bournemouth and Poole College, said: "I am deeply concerned about the incident, which took place yesterday near our Bournemouth campus, and that three of our students were injured in it.
"My heart goes out to the students and their families, who we were immediately in contact with after the incident, and all those affected by the incident.
"Our Security Team and other staff members took personal risks in leaving our campus, intervening and stopping the incident, and gave support to the injured students alongside emergency responders. They later assisted the Police with the information we had, as they investigated what had occurred.
"We ensured that other students could safely leave the campus with reassurance from the immediate Police presence.
"I would personally like to thank Dorset Police and the Ambulance Service for their swift and effective response.
"Today, the campuses of Bournemouth and Poole College, including the Bournemouth Campus, are open, calm, and operating as normal. We have taken additional steps to support our students, including heightened staff visibility. We will continue to monitor the situation and are considering any additional steps which may be required.
"Our staff will continue to work to reassure students, those on campus, and their families on an ongoing basis. We are providing support to all students and team who have been affected by yesterday’s incident and will continue to ensure our College community feels fully supported and protected."
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.