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| Hampshire Constabulary |
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Police in the New Forest are appealing for witnesses after a fight broke out between a large group of New Forest youths and some visiting sailors.
At about 9.45pm on Saturday, May 20, four crew members of the visiting Russian vessel, Briggen, which had docked at Fawley Oil Refinery, had gone to the Falcon public house in Fawley village.
On their way home from the pub, the sailors were set upon by a group of approximately 20 local youths who kicked and punched them.
Attempting to escape the group, the sailors tried to board a Solent Blue Line bus which was travelling along Church Lane. They punched and kicked the doors and windows of the bus to get the driver’s attention. As they did so, the group of local youths who had previously assaulted them, returned and attacked the sailors for a second time, before running off.
Police arrived on scene shortly after and despite an extensive search of the area by local units, together with officers from the Force Support Unit, Dog Support Unit and Air Support Unit, the large group of local youths were not found.
One of the sailors was left with a broken ankle and underwent surgery at Southampton General Hospital. The remaining crew members were left badly shaken with cuts and bruises.
Sergeant Garry Packer of Hythe police station said: “This was a nasty fight in which a group of Russian sailors were repeatedly set upon. It is important that anyone who was in the area of Church Lane, Fawley, who may have witnessed the attack and can identify members of this gang, come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Hythe police on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. |
