Salisbury Street multi-storey car park in Southampton shut

The multi-storey car park in Salisbury Street in Southampton was shut with drivers advised to use neighbouring facilities, such as Grovesenor Square.

Police have confirmed the car park was closed after a woman was found in a distressed state in the early hours of today.

An 18-year-old man, from Fordingbridge, was arrested in connection with the incident.

Specially trained officers are currently supporting the woman and working with her to establish how she came to be at the location.

A police van was at the entrance and police tape blocked the area to drivers attempting to enter the car park.

Police at the scene will not confirm why the car park is closed but said it will be reopen at some point this morning.

It has since reopened and police have stood down from the scene.

Police activity was focused on the ground level of the car park and a officer wearing a forensic face mask was gathering evidence.

The scene outside the Salisbury Street car park multi-storey car park

Entrances to the stairwells are also cordoned off.

Ross Le-Vas, who works at the Ryman Stationery shop in London Road, said: "I have no idea what's going on but my colleague tried to drive in there at 7am and she saw that the car park was closed off by police.

"She needed to find another parking space in Archers Road."

One person, who did not want to be named, said: "I just walked past and I saw it was closed.

"There are sometimes problems with homeless people in that car park."

Another passer by said: "We couldn't get into the car park - we have no idea what is going on."

A resident added: "I have never seen anything like this before here."

A spokesman for Hampshire police said: "Police have cordoned off Salisbury Street car park in Southampton after a woman was discovered in a distressed state in the early hours of Friday, November 14.

"Specially trained officers are currently supporting the woman and working with her to establish how she came to be at the location.

"An 18-year-old man from Fordingbridge has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently being questioned by police.

"From the information we have at this time, it appears that the two people are known to one another." 

Anyone with information should contact Southampton CID by calling 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.