Neighbours in a Southampton neighbourhood have called for more police on the beat after a man was seriously injured in an assault.

Police were called shortly after 1am on Saturday morning to reports of an assault near the Top Catch fish and chip shop on Shirley Road.

During the assault, a man in his 20s sustained a serious head injury and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Police have confirmed this injury is not life-threatening.

Following this, a 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The fish and chip shop on the junction of Shirley Road and Malmesbury Road was cordoned off by police on Saturday morning with police officers standing guard while a forensic officer seemed to be recovering evidence.

READ MORE: Man suffers serious head injury as cordon set up outside Southampton chippy

Bypassers looked in awe as they saw the police cordon and wondered what had happened with the cordon being removed shortly after 11.30am.

(Image: Jose Ramos)

Following the incident, neighbours have spoken of their shock.

One woman who lives on Malmesbury Road told the Echo her road isn't what it used to be as many residents have left.

She said: "What we need is more police on the beat, that would be a solution, more police out and about."

Another woman said: "The last few years have seen an increase in violence.

"I don't know if people are more daring than they were before or whether they feel like they get away with it but these days people are just crazy."

Another neighbour, Julian, told the Echo the area has seen a spike in crime which has left people feeling "nervous about stepping outside".

He added that he feels people these days "don't get very heavy sentences" which results in more crime being done.