Second man arrested after series of robberies at Southsea shops

By Tom Morton
Published 8th Apr 2023, 11:24 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2023, 11:24 BST
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Another man has been arrested after a series of robberies in Southsea in which staff were threatened with a screwdriver and a hammer.

At about 8.50pm on Friday, March 31, a man went into the Co-op in Great Southsea Street, and threatened a staff member with a screwdriver. He stole more than £200 from the till.

At about 8.40pm the next day, Saturday, April 1, a man entered the same store with a hammer and took money from the till.

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A second man has been arrested in connection with the investigation of a series of robberies at shops in Southsea on 31 March and 1 April - and police want to hear from witnesses to another incident on April 4A second man has been arrested in connection with the investigation of a series of robberies at shops in Southsea on 31 March and 1 April - and police want to hear from witnesses to another incident on April 4
A second man has been arrested in connection with the investigation of a series of robberies at shops in Southsea on 31 March and 1 April - and police want to hear from witnesses to another incident on April 4

Less than 10 minutes later, it was reported that a man had entered Castle News on Castle Road and threatened a staff member with a hammer before taking money from the till.

Police have said today that another robbery has been added to the series.

A spokesman said: ‘On Tuesday, April 4 at 9.12pm, a man wearing a grey hoodie and a black face mask, green and black gloves, green tracksuit bottoms and grey trainers ran into Castle News in Castle Road and threatened a shop assistant with a screwdriver before grabbing the till.’

He ran off south towards Nightingale Road.

Police say a 22-year-old from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of four counts of robbery and has been bailed while enquiries continue.

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The first man – a 21-year-old from Portsmouth – was further arrested on two counts of shoplifting in connection with a separate incident and has been bailed. No further action will be taken to the four counts of robbery.

Police still want to hear anyone who saw the incidents or who knows anything about them. Call 101 or report it via their website, or anonymously through Crimestoppers, quoting 44230128450.