Police have arrested three men and one woman following a public order incident that took place on Howard Road in Hilsea yesterday evening (Wednesday 29 June)

Officers were called at 8.22pm to reports that a group of people were driving around the area in a car which was believed to contain a number of weapons.

It was then reported that the occupants of the vehicle were threatening two people known to them.

A number of officers, including specialist units, were deployed to the area to locate the people involved and ensure the safety of the public.

The vehicle was located outside of an address on Howard Road and an 18-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. During his arrest, he assaulted two police officers, neither of which suffered serious injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of common assault of an emergency worker.

A 43-year-old woman from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Two 32-year-old men from Portsmouth were arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

All four remain in police custody at the current time.

No members of the public or the two people known to the group and being threatened by them were injured.

Portsmouth North Inspector Jon Tilbury said: “We fully appreciate how concerning this incident will have been to members of the public who witnessed it and know that there are wider issues in the Howard Road area that we are working to address.

 “I would like to reassure the local community that we are continuing our increased presence in the area and will be conducting patrols today and over the coming week. Please do come and speak to our officers if you are concerned or if you have questions or any information that may assist our enquiries into this incident.

“We know that ongoing incidents in the Howard Road area are having a significant impact on people’s lives and this is not acceptable. We are doing everything we can, including increased patrols and presence in the area, making use of dispersal orders, speaking with the local community and working with partners on a longer-term solution for our residents.”

If anyone has any information relating to this incident police encourage them to get in touch via 101 or online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Alternatively, information can be passed 100% anonymously to Crimstoppers by calling 0800 555 111.