New call for witnesses to savage hammer attack in Portsmouth

Police have spearheaded a major hunt for a man who carried out the savage assault in Shearer Road, Fratton, Portsmouth, last night.

The community has already spoken of its shock in light of what happened to the 17-year-old victim, who was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.

Martin Graham, landlord of The Shearer Arms, on Shearer Road, hopes the community can help in the effort to track down the attacker.

The pub was closed last night when the drama unfolded.

Mr Graham said: ‘I’m in complete shock, it’s not something that’s usual around this area, especially to a girl as young as she is.

‘I don’t know any of the details, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the community to get together and try and sort this out. We can’t have anything like this happening in our area.

‘It’s predominately older people who live here.’