Havant Horror: Teen Attacked by Gang in Park
Shocking scenes unfolded in Havant Park last Saturday night when a 20-year-old man was brutally attacked by a gang of youths. The victim suffered cuts and bruises to his head after being set upon near the park’s toilet block. Police say up to 30 teens were involved, leaving two of the victim’s friends with minor injuries.
Violence Erupts in Havant Park
At around 8:30pm on 8 July, the young man and his three friends were approached by a group of youths sitting on a bench. When he moved towards the toilet block, the assault began. Officers arrived within 90 seconds but the suspects had vanished. Witnesses report that the gang were mostly aged 14 to 16, wearing shorts and t-shirts, with some shirtless.
Police Hunt Witnesses and Parent Sleuths
PC Peter Vincent, Havant’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We believe there are people who were in Havant Park at the time who may have seen what happened. If parents noticed teenagers coming home with injuries, this could be linked to our investigation. Please call us on 101 if you can help.”
Operation Syren Takes On Havant Crime
This attack comes amid Operation Syren, a year-long crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Havant town centre. The police are urging parents to keep a close eye on their children. Here’s their advice for those with kids under 18:
- Know where your children are going, what they’re doing, and how they’ll get home.
- Lock away alcohol and keep track of it to prevent it going missing.
- Report any anti-social behaviour quickly, so police can target resources effectively.
Stay informed on Operation Syren by following @HavantPolice on Twitter and signing up for Hampshire Alerts.
