Good afternoon everyone,

You may have seen our post at the weekend about an assault in Thornhill on Friday (10 May), which prompted us to implement a Section 60 order in the area until 11pm on Saturday (11 May).

A Section 60 order allows officers additional stop and search powers in an area where there has either been serious violence, or that it is believed serious violence may occur imminently, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Officers implemented the order and carried out dedicated patrols in the area after it was reported that two men in their 30s suffered injuries after being hit with a baton after being confronted by two teenagers just before 7pm on Friday evening.

During the assault, a machete was also reported to have been seen. No one was stabbed in the assault.

A number of people were stopped and searched while the order was in place, however no weapons were located or seized.

As a result of our enquiries three people have been arrested in connection with the assault, including a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy from Southampton on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. The 19-year-old man remains in police custody while the 16-year-old has been released on conditional police bail.

A second 16-year-old boy, also from Southampton, has also been arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He has been released on conditional police bail pending further enquiries.

The people involved are known to each other, and we do not believe there to be a wider threat to the public.

We would like to thank the local community for their patience and support while we have been carrying out these enquiries and additional stop and search powers in the area.