Police Hunt Suspects After Flare Thrown Into Hotel Window

Police have launched an investigation following an arson attack at the Highfield House Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning, 7 September.

Emergency services were called to the hotel in the Portswood area of Southampton at around 2.15am, after a flare was thrown through an open ground-floor window. The flare caused a small fire, which was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.

According to Hampshire Constabulary, two individuals were seen approaching the hotel before fleeing the scene along Shaftesbury Avenue. One suspect was wearing a dark hooded top and had his face covered, while the other wore a white hooded top.

Officers were at the scene on Sunday conducting enquiries, and investigations are ongoing throughout this week. Increased police patrols have also been deployed in the Portswood area to reassure the local community.

Chief Inspector Chris Douglas described the incident as “an extremely dangerous act that could have had fatal consequences.”

“Fortunately, this fire was quickly put out, but this was an extremely dangerous act and could have had fatal consequences,” he said.
“Our local neighbourhood policing team will be carrying out additional patrols in Portswood in the coming days, and if anyone has any concerns then please do speak to them.”

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information — including CCTV or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident — to come forward.

Information can be reported by calling 101 or visiting the Hampshire Constabulary website, quoting reference 44250404868. Alternatively, those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

“I want to urge anyone with information, however small you think it may be, to get in touch and share this with us,” Chief Inspector Douglas added. “We are working closely with local authorities to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.”