London man arrested after going on “rampage” at Portsmouth hotel as guests evacuated - update

Police have given an update after a man from London was arrested after going on the “rampage” at a Portsmouth hotel as guests were evacuated.

People staying at the Premier Inn on Queen Street were forced to leave the hotel following the incident at 12.15am today (Sunday 27 September).

One resident said a man went on the “rampage” before adding: “There was pounding noise at 12.15am and then fire alarms went off. A man tried to smash up the building and glass fire doors with fire alarms and tried to get into a room leaving a woman very scared.

“Everyone evacuated. There was only young staff on duty. Police arrested a man who was taken into custody.

“Residents were waiting outside for an hour. We could then re-enter the building at 1.15am. There was no fire.”

The resident said they had tried repeatedly to contact reception and Premier Inn’s head office but had not been able to get through amid concerns there was no water and no fire officer to check the scene. “No one is managing the situation. No one can be contacted from head office,” the witness said.

“Worryingly, there has been no fire officer to check the building as the fire doors are open, extinguishers are off the walls. The security door to stairs and lifts are open so anyone could now access building.”

A police spokesperson previously said: “We were called at 12.15am today, 27 September, to reports of criminal damage at Premier Inn, Queen Street. Damage was caused to windows and doors in upstairs corridors.

“A 31-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.”

Police have now said he has been released on police bail until December 27 as enquiries continue.