Cosham stabbing: Residents in Hawthorn Crescent stunned after man attacked in broad daylight in Portsmouth
The stabbing of a man in the streets of Cosham has rocked residents in the area - who can scarcely believe something like this could happen in broad daylight.
As previously reported by The News, a 31-year-old man was rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the leg in Hawthorn Crescent on Thursday, March 12.
Police have since made six arrests in connection with the incident, detaining two 18-year-olds from Portsmouth and one from Southampton on suspicion of attempted murder and possessing a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place.
A 19-year-old from Southampton was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place; and a 29-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of intimidating a witness.
When approached by The News, residents in Hawthorn Crescent wished to remain anonymous, but told us that they were concerned about how such a brazen act of violence could take place.
One person said: “I was at work when all of this happened, but found out about it when I checked my phone on the way home. It is scary to think that this happened so close to home as well.
“When you hear about things like this, they normally happen at night - drunken arguments getting out of hand, drug deals gone wrong, that sort of thing. But for someone to get stabbed in broad daylight is crazy.
“It makes you wonder how safe we really are.”
Another neighbour, who also wished to remain anonymous, added: “Whatever might have led to this, it is frightening that someone can be stabbed in the middle of the day.
“I do feel safer knowing that the police got here so quickly and that some people have been arrested. They get a bad rep sometimes, but I think the police did a good job handling it all.
“I hope the person who was attacked makes a full recovery - what an awful for thing for someone to have to go through.”
A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: “Were you on Hawthorn Crescent or in the Cosham Park / surrounding area between the times of 1:00pm and 3:00pm? Did you witness this incident, or see anyone behaving suspiciously in the area? Do you have any relevant CCTV, dashcam, mobile phone or doorbell footage from the area during this time?
“If you have any information which could assist our investigation, we ask that you please report this to us by calling 101 quoting reference 44260119500.”