Some guest house owners have been left feeling unsafe after an alleged assault in Weymouth which saw police and forensic officers descend on a community and a house cordoned off.
The alleged assault has resulted in a man in his 40s, who was known to the victim, to be arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He remains in police custody.
The victim was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth after initially receiving treatment for his head injury at the scene.
A police officer remained in place this morning outside the property and a cordon has been set up around the entrance of the property as detectives continue their investigations.
The Echo understands that armed police officers initially attended the incident as part of the initial response. A forensic team were seen at the property on Sunday afternoon as part of the investigation.
It is understood that police officers requested CCTV from a local shop and that officers were seen going through bins at the property as well as conducting house to house enquiries.
A couple, who run a guest house near to where the alleged assault took place, said they ‘do not feel very safe’ following the incident.
They said: “We heard someone walking down the street effing and blinding, so we came and shut the door as we didn’t want them here.
“It is not safe, we do not feel very safe for us or the guests.”
Paul, who runs a laundrette on Lennox Street added: “We didn’t know what was going on, but when I took my daughter to work there was a policeman standing outside.
“We heard the helicopter and saw the ambulance and police cars out of our window but that is it really.
“For the police to have been here overnight it must have been serious. We have never had anything serious here.
“You can live anywhere; trouble will always come along.
"It is the same everywhere you go."
A resident of the street said: "We were coming back from town about 11.30am on Sunday and we were followed into Lennox Street by an ambulance.
"We noticed there was already a police van and a police car parked in the central section of the street. An armed police vehicle arrived shortly afterwards."
The resident added: "There are often police down here visiting certain properties which is a shame for all the other residents who live here and can really do without all this disruption.
"Later in the day when I left the house, about 4.30pm, I noted a forensic team van had parked in the street and saw some people putting on their white protective suits."
One holidaymaker also said that they had heard the helicopter arrive but that it was all a bit ‘hush hush’ as to what had happened.
A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Dorset Police received a report at 11.09am on Sunday, February 11 from the ambulance service of a man requiring medical treatment at an address in Lennox Street in Weymouth.
"The victim – a local man aged in his 60s – is reported to have been assaulted and sustained a serious head injury. He is being taken to hospital by air ambulance for treatment.
"A man aged in his 40s from Weymouth has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. The arrested man and the victim are known to each other.
"A cordon is in place while detectives carry out detailed enquiries at the scene. There will be an increased police presence in the area and officers can be approached by anyone with information or concerns."
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