A FIGHT broke out between a group of men armed with weapons in a Southampton park.

The incident in Palmerston Park took place at 1.50pm yesterday.

Hampshire police says weapons including a knife, a baseball bat, bottles and pieces of wood were used during the altercation.

When officers were called to the scene, the men ditched the weapons, but the knife was found and seized.

Three men, two from Southampton, were then arrested. They were:

  • A 26 year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of affray
  • A 28-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of affray
  • A 27-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of Class B drugs – cannabis.

All three remain in custody.

Chief Inspector Dave Brown said “Tackling weapon related crime and serious violence in our city and keeping people safe is an absolute priority for us, but it also requires a multi-agency response across our community, the public, private and charity sectors in order to deliver long-term change and tackle the root causes of violent crime.

“We would like to thank the members of the public who reported this incident, enabling us to quickly respond.

“Officers will be carrying out increased patrols in the area today. If you have any concerns or information, please don’t hesitate to speak to them.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call 101 quoting 44210290114.

REPORT KNIFE CRIME

Hampshire police says it urges communities to keep reporting intelligence around knife crime so that together we can continue to tackle this threat in society.

To do this people can call 101 or report online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/

Alternatively people can report 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

If you are a young person concerned about someone carrying a knife, or worried that someone is going to get hurt, you can tell police without having to say who you are, by reporting anonymously online at Fearless.org