Woman hospitalised with head injuries after fight with PCSO in Commercial Road

A friend of the injured female, aged in her 50s, said there was “no need for such serious force” from the PCSO following the incident around 2.10pm in Commercial Road on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hampshire Police said the PCSO was assaulted by the woman after accusations she had been abusive to shoppers. Then, during the struggle, the woman suffered a cut to her head before being taken to hospital.

A force statement said: “Shortly after 2.10pm on Tuesday (6 May) a PCSO on foot patrol on Commercial Road was approached by a member of the public raising concerns about a woman being verbally abusive towards shoppers.

“The PCSO approached the woman and was assaulted, but not seriously injured. During the assault the woman sustained a cut to her head which required treatment at hospital after officers provided first aid at the scene.

“The injury is not serious. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

However, the friend of the injured woman described her injuries as “serious” and said she was in a “bad way” before adding: “There was no need for such serious force.”

It comes following other recent incidents in Commercial Road. On Thursday May 1 around 3.30pm a Southsea man and a Gosport woman were arrested after a scrap involving three people. No further action was taken by police.

On the same day last week but at around 9am, a video captured a man being taken to the ground by an officer who had allegedly been punched by the man, who was also accused of attacking a JD Sport worker.

A 34-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of common assault and assaulting an emergency worker.

Speaking of Tuesday’s incident, police added: “Anyone who saw what happened can call us on 101 quoting 44250196771 or can contact us online: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/”