POLICE swooped on Weymouth town centre and made arrests in a child neglect inquiry.
A significant police presence was observed yesterday as officers responded to an incident involving two adults and a young child.
A woman was arrested on suspicion of neglecting a young person and being drunk in charge of a child and a man was arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, police said.
Police cars and ambulances were spotted near the doctor's surgery in Crescent Street yesterday morning where it is understood the arrests were made. The surgery was not connected with the incident.
The age of the child has not been disclosed but a pushchair was seen as officers made inquiries in the area.
One person was taken to hospital for treatment.
The incident actually began a few streets away in Great George Street where a 'verbal altercation' was reported.
A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Dorset Police received a report at around 10.40am on Monday, September 30 of a verbal altercation involving a man and woman who were with a child in Great George Street in Weymouth.
"Officers attended and a 21-year-old woman from Weymouth was arrested on suspicion of neglecting a young person and being drunk in charge of a child.
"A 28-year-old man from Weymouth was arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.
"Both arrested people – who are known to each other – remain in police custody.
"The child has been taken to receive the appropriate care. There were no serious injuries reported during the incident.
"Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident."
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 11.06am to an incident in Weymouth.
"We sent one double-crewed ambulance to the scene and conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Dorset County Hospital.”
Cllr Jon Orrell, councillor for Melcombe Regis, said: "I am shocked to hear this.
"I hope the child gets the care they need.
"I also hope all people involved get the appropriate treatment."
A large emergency service response was seen on Crescent Street.
The road was also cordoned off at around 11am.
A spokesperson for Weymouth Bay Medical Practice said: "We are aware something happened on Crescent Street but have no further information as it didn’t involve us."
Well Pharmacy which is nearby also confirmed that it was not involved in the incident.
Resident Geoff Bright said: "There were lots of police cars in the area."
Another eyewitness said: “I saw police cars and an ambulance. I’m not sure what happened but it was very busy for a moment.
"I really hope everything is okay.”
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