Police issue warning after Portsmouth vigilantes take the law into their own hands

VIGILANTES have been urged by police not to take the law into their own hands.
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On Saturday evening, police officers were called out to a series of incidents in the Paulsgrove area.

First, police went to Danny Mart in Ludlow Road, after a staff member was assaulted and caused around £500 worth of criminal damage to the till.

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While at the store, officers then received reports that a 15-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted between 6 and 7pm at the Premier Store in Allaway Avenue, before criminal damage at a nearby residential address.

A dispersal order was issued for the entirety of the Paulsgrove area. Picture: John DevlinA dispersal order was issued for the entirety of the Paulsgrove area. Picture: John Devlin
A dispersal order was issued for the entirety of the Paulsgrove area. Picture: John Devlin

A further four assaults followed, which police believe is linked to vigilantes taking the law into their own hands.

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To combat this, Hampshire Constabulary has enforced a Section 35 dispersal order across the entire Paulsgrove area.

Posting on social media, Portsmouth Police said: ‘Over the course of the weekend we have dealt with and are continuing to deal with a series of incidents involving a small group of local residents who are seeking to take the law into their own hands.

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‘This follows an original assault incident on Saturday evening in Paulsgrove.

However frustrated you are with a crime that may have happened , taking the law into your own hands is unacceptable. Gathering in groups and threatening to do so can be especially intimating for the wider community.

‘This is notwithstanding the current restrictions, which only increase the tension caused by the actions of this small group.’

The dispersal order is set to expire at 8.45am tomorrow, but this is subject to change.

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A spokeswoman from Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘This action comes in response to a series of incidents involving a small group of people.

‘Officers also responded to four reports of assault and a further report of criminal damage at a residential address.

‘Police officers and PCSOs can disperse people found within these areas who are contributing or are likely to contribute to causing other members of the public harassment, alarm or distress and crime and disorder.

‘Enquiries are ongoing.’

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact police on 101, quoting the crime reference 44200442157.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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