A SENIOR Southampton officer has issued a statement after a fourth stabbing in the Southampton area in less than a week.

Superintendent Phil Lamb, district commander for Southampton, sought to reassure residents after a series of separate stabbings over the weekend in Shirley and Ocean Village, in Eastleigh on Monday and one on Wednesday night in Lordswood.

Police were called to Puffin Close, in Lordswood at 11.35pm by the ambulance service, who reported an assault.

Police said a man in his 40s had suffered injuries to his head and a puncture wound to his torso.

Fortunately, none of the injuries were deemed life-threatening.

On Monday a 17-year-old was rushed to hospital after suffering multiple puncture wounds.

Over the weekend a 35-year-old man was found with a stab wound to his chest at an address on Canute Road in Ocean Village.

Daily Echo: A police car outside the block of flats on Canute Road, Ocean Village

A 37-year-old woman from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but has since been released on conditional bail until Monday, September 11.

Three people sustained stab wounds after an incident inside a house on Stafford Road on Friday.

A 50-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder was one of the three who had sustained injuries.

READ MORE: Eastleigh serious assault: everything we know so far

Woman arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after incident at flat

Attempted murder arrest after three people stabbed in Shirley

Fourth stabbing in greater Southampton area this week leaves man injured

Southampton District Commander, Superintendent Phil Lamb, said: “I want to reassure residents that we are in the process of completing comprehensive, robust investigations into these matters and ensuring that the victims of these crimes are at the forefront of our efforts in order to see justice served.

“We have taken swift action in arresting two separate individuals for the incidents from across the weekend in Shirley and the Ocean Village areas; with our enquiries into these matters ongoing as part of our investigation.”

Supt Lamb issued a warning to offenders carrying weapons on themselves.

He said: “I want to make it absolutely clear that as a District, we will not tolerate members of the public carrying knives or using knives to commit offences.

“My officers will continue to conduct stop searches of those who we believe to be carrying a knife upon their person where there are grounds for suspicion.

“Even if you don’t believe that you’ll use it, or that you’re carrying it for protection or to simply scare other people off, the consequences of using it are unimaginable and can cause untold misery for those impacted by your actions.”

He added: “Carrying a knife doesn’t just impact you or the person you might come across, it destroys families, relationships, and communities.”

Full statement from Superintendent Phil Lamb:

“We are well aware that there have been a number of serious incidents in the past week involving weapons or knives within the City and the impact that this will undoubtedly have in our local communities.

“I want to reassure residents that we are in the process of completing comprehensive, robust investigations into these matters and ensuring that the victims of these crimes are at the forefront of our efforts in order to see justice served. We have taken swift action in arresting two separate individuals for the incidents from across the weekend in Shirley and the Ocean Village areas; with our enquiries into these matters ongoing as part of our investigation.

“During these times you will have seen an increased police presence in these area, along with further high-visibility patrols by my officers, and I would encourage you to approach them if you have any concerns around knife crime or any other matters within your local neighbourhoods and communities.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that as a District, we will not tolerate members of the public carrying knives or using knives to commit offences.

"My officers will continue to conduct stop searches of those who we believe to be carrying a knife upon their person where there are grounds for suspicion. Even if you don’t believe that you’ll use it, or that you’re carrying it for protection or to simply scare other people off, the consequences of using it are unimaginable and can cause untold misery for those impacted by your actions. 

“Carrying a knife doesn’t just impact you or the person you might come across, it destroys families, relationships, and communities.

“In October to December last year, we saw a number of high-profile incidents in the city in that period, and as part of our response, we used our Section 60 powers, which permits us to stop and search any pedestrian, vehicle, driver, or passengers to search for offensive weapons.

“The decisions around taking this action were not taken lightly but enabled my officers to prevent further incidents, to seize weapons, and to detain those responsible. It was simply the right thing to do and we will continue to enact these powers if there is a requirement to do so in response to any emerging incidents or threats within the city.

“We want Southampton to remain a hostile place for those causing harm in our communities, and for them to know that we will relentlessly pursue them and ensure that every effort will be made to see justice served.”