Residents shocked by late night attack in Eastleigh park

As reported, a woman was taken to hospital after being attacked in a serious assault in Eastleigh in the early hours yesterday.

Police are investigating a potential link with another incident that took place earlier in the evening.

The victim was seen being followed by a man along Leigh Road at around 2.15am yesterday.

She was then assaulted in Leigh Road park and rushed to Southampton General Hospital, having suffered soft tissue bruising.

An Eastleigh town centre CCTV operator reportedly saw a man acting suspiciously before the attack. Some nearby residents labelled the incident as “scary”.

One person said: “It is scary, especially as I have a 17-year-old daughter. I’ve always lived in Eastleigh but I never hear anything like this happening.”

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of serious assault. He remains in police custody at this time.

Officers are investigating if the incident is connected with another attack, which took place on Monday between 9pm and 11.40pm on Southsea Common.

Police were called to reports of a 40-year-old woman who had been seriously assaulted.

She was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital after suffering a possible fractured cheekbone and bruising to her face, arms, legs and back.

A force spokesperson said the same 19-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of serious assault relating to the Southsea incident.

“We are in the process of investigating both incidents to ascertain if there are any possible links between the two attacks,” the spokesperson said.

Eastleigh central ward councillor Wayne Irish said he was shocked to hear about the attack.

“It is a shocking thing to happen, especially with someone being out on their own at that time of the morning,” said Cllr Irish.

“It is awful that someone has been attacked. It is a dreadful and horrible thing to happen.

“Eastleigh is normally a very safe place to be. My thoughts are with the woman and her family.”