Southsea dispersal order extended after two men arrested and 'reports of a knife' after scuffle breaks out between fishermen and teenagers

BEACHGOERS were left ‘crying and scared’ after scuffles broke out between a group of fishermen and teenagers as police extend dispersal order following anti-social behaviour
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Police were called to the Hot Walls yesterday around 4.45pm to reports of man with knife after an altercation with a group of teenagers.

A 38-year-old man was searched and officers found a plastic implement used for fishing but no knife.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It comes after a week of anti-social behaviour across Southsea and Old Portsmouth.

Incident at Hotwalls, Old Portsmouth on 25 June 2020.   stills from video clipIncident at Hotwalls, Old Portsmouth on 25 June 2020.   stills from video clip
Incident at Hotwalls, Old Portsmouth on 25 June 2020. stills from video clip

A dispersal order put in place on Wednesday, which was due to expire today, has now been extended for 48 hours.

A witness to the incident at the Hot Walls, who asked not to be named, said: ‘I felt for the fishermen as they were trying to enjoy the weather and it just erupted. Teenagers were crying and running and there were elderly couples and children crying as well.

‘You could see people were really scared as it spilled out in to the road. Kids were drinking and doing nitrous oxide (laughing gas) balloons and there was no social distancing.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police said no one was injured and the group believed to be involved made no complaints about the 38-year-old man, who was served with a section 35 dispersal notice.

Hampshire police have imposed a dispersal order in the south of Portsmouth covering the Hot Walls in Old Portsmouth and Southsea Common. Picture: Portsmouth policeHampshire police have imposed a dispersal order in the south of Portsmouth covering the Hot Walls in Old Portsmouth and Southsea Common. Picture: Portsmouth police
Hampshire police have imposed a dispersal order in the south of Portsmouth covering the Hot Walls in Old Portsmouth and Southsea Common. Picture: Portsmouth police
Read More
Crews battle fire in Southsea house

In additional patrols, officers also arrested an 18-year-old man was arrested for failure to comply with a S35 dispersal notice.

Bobby Jack Allen, of Lake Road, Portsmouth has since been charged and will appear before Portsmouth Magistrates Court on July 23.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested for obstructing / resisting a police officer in execution of duty, assaulting an emergency worker (police officer) and possession of a class B drug.

Incident at Hotwalls, Old Portsmouth on 25 June 2020.   stills from video clipIncident at Hotwalls, Old Portsmouth on 25 June 2020.   stills from video clip
Incident at Hotwalls, Old Portsmouth on 25 June 2020. stills from video clip
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Acting inspector Darren Ali said: ‘Additional patrols remain in place ahead of the weekend and we will be paying particular attention to the Hot Walls and Southsea Common as we have done so in recent days.

‘We’d like to thank members of the community who continue to support the action we are taking. We want you to enjoy the warm weather and we know that the majority of people in Old Portsmouth are out to enjoy these areas of the city safely with friends and loved ones.

‘Therefore, our additional patrols and dispersal order will remain in place to tackle those few intent on causing anti-social behaviour and engaging in violence of any kind.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The dispersal order gives police the power to order someone to leave the designated area and not return for 24 hours to prevent crime and disorder and failure to comply with this is a criminal offence.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.