Firefighter Attack CCTV Pictures

Police in Southampton have released CCTV pictures after a firefighter was attacked

The assault happened on Shirley High Street between 9.30 and 10pm on Friday April 30. The firefighters had returned earlier that day from attending the funeral of two colleagues who died in the fire at Shirley Towers in Southampton in April.
The firefighters, aged 36 and 28, were in the Shirley Hotel when they became aware of a man and woman having what appeared to be a violent argument outside.

They went out to try and diffuse it but one was hit in the face by a man who ran across the road to another pub, the two firefighters followed but were then attacked again by at least two men.

It left one of them unconscious and with a fractured eye socket and a cut to his face. The other suffered cuts and bruising to his face.

The attackers ran off after the assault.

Both men were treated at Southampton General Hospital for their injuries. One of them had to have 20 stitches to the cuts on his face.

One of the attackers is described as around 5ft 10ins tall, aged in his 20s, and the other is thought to be in his 30s.

PC Steve Lanham said: "We would like to speak to the man in this CCTV image as we believe he may be able to help us with our investigation. If you recognise this man, or you are this man, you should contact the police. It's believed there were a large number of people around at the time of the incident and police are still keen to speak with any witnesses."

Anyone with information about the incident, or the CCTV image, is asked to call PC Steve Lanham at Shirley CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.