Crookhorn shooting: Police say Waterlooville is a '˜relatively safe place'

Jamie Sibley, who is in his 30s, was undergoing emergency surgery last night after suffering life-changing injuries from the incident in Athena Avenue, Crookhorn just before 1am.

Three people have since been arrested.

A man, 37 and a woman, 38, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in High Lawn Way, Leigh Park at 2.25am yesterday and police made their third arrest of a 31-year-old woman from Waterlooville last night on suspicion of conspiring to murder.

Mr Sibley’s family are rallying around him at Southampton General Hospital.

Inspector Dave Humphries of the Waterlooville neighbourhood policing team has now moved to reassure residents that the incident was ‘very rare.’

He said: ‘I would like to stress that incidents of this nature are very rare and on the whole Waterlooville is a relatively safe place.

‘I have no doubt that residents of Crookhorn will have seen an increase in police activity in the area as officers from our investigation command along with the PCs and PCSOs from the local neighbourhood team look to progress enquiries relating to this incident.

‘I would reiterate the request for anybody with information about this incident to contact us via 101 and quote Operation Endorse.

‘In the meantime I would like to thank Detective Superintendent Darren Rawlings and his team along with all of the officers involved in the initial response to this incident for the work they have done to keep our community safe.’