POLICE patrols have been stepped up in the South Ham area of Basingstoke following the brutal attack on a young couple last weekend.

Basingstoke's top officer, Superintendent Alison Queen, has said the estate has been a lot quieter since the police presence was beefed up following last Saturday's attack.

A 19-year-old man was beaten several times with a fence post and his girlfriend was kicked in the face and body by a gang of teenagers.

Supt Queen told The Gazette that South Ham residents should hopefully be reassured by the high visibility policing in the area.

"There are police vans patrolling and if any juveniles are seen around the area in the early hours of the morning, they are being stopped and spoken to," she said.

Similar measures were taken in the aftermath of the vicious assault by a pack of youths on two men and a woman in Buckskin in February.

"We had a very successful result in that case - a number of offenders were arrested and remanded in custody," said Supt Queen.

"We are putting pressure on the criminal justice system to treat them harshly. The fact that they are juveniles won't mean they will be treated any more lightly than anyone else."

Several boys and girls have been arrested in connection with last Saturday's attack. They have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

The teenage victim, who has not been named, was re-admitted to hospital on Tuesday with complications from his beating, and kept in overnight for tests.

Anyone who has any information about the attack should call Basingstoke police on 0845 045 45 45 or the confidential Crimestoppers hot-line on 0800 555 111.