Police offer £5,000 reward for information about Portsmouth hammer attack - and now class it as attempted murder

POLICE are offering a £5,000 reward in return for information which will lead to the prosecution of the man responsible for the attempted murder of a teenager in Portsmouth.
CCTV from Commercial Road in Portsmouth released by Hampshire Constabulary investigating the hammer attack in Shearer RoadCCTV from Commercial Road in Portsmouth released by Hampshire Constabulary investigating the hammer attack in Shearer Road
CCTV from Commercial Road in Portsmouth released by Hampshire Constabulary investigating the hammer attack in Shearer Road

A 17-year-old girl suffered life-changing head injuries after she was attacked with a hammer in Shearer Road, Fratton, Portsmouth, just before 7pm on Monday, April 11.

As a result of the victim’s injuries, Hampshire Constabulary has classified the attack as an attempted murder.

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Detective Chief Inspector, Liz Williams, of the Major Crime Department, said: ‘This is a complex investigation and we’re currently following several leads; we’ve had a positive response from the public so far and we believe they will be crucial to helping us solve this crime.

‘We are still keen to speak to the man in the CCTV image in connection with the investigation, whom we believe was in the Commercial Road/Edinburgh Road area on Saturday, April 9.

‘Someone will recognise him – please come forward.’

Superintendent Will Schofield, District Commander of Portsmouth, said: ‘I firmly believe the local community may hold the key to helping us solve this attempted murder and I’m appealing directly to anyone who has information about the incident, or recognises the man from the CCTV, to come forward and speak to police.

‘There is a £5,000 reward being offered for information which leads to a successful prosecution and I’m hopeful that this reward will motivate someone to come forward.

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‘I would like to reassure the public that this is being treated as an isolated incident at this stage, however we have increased policing presence in the area.’

If you have information, or recognise the man from the CCTV, please call police on 101 quoting Operation Gather.

Alternatively you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.