Police are continuing their search for men linked to a shocking neck slashing attack in Southampton nearly three months ago. The assault occurred outside the Encore Pub and left a 29-year-old man fighting for his life.
The victim survived emergency surgery after the main artery in his neck was severed in the early hours of Saturday 22 July. Due to the severity of the attack, police are treating the case as attempted murder. The man has since been recovering at home.
Earlier CCTV footage showed a group of men heading down Bedford Place towards the Encore Pub just 10 minutes before the attack took place. Several vehicles passed the scene during the incident, with occupants of one car rushing to provide assistance.
Police are also seeking to speak with a couple seen walking along Commercial Road around the time of the attack, as they are considered key witnesses.
Detectives believe the suspects fled the area by coach from Southampton Coach Station to Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal. From there, they caught a train travelling through London, Hertfordshire, and on to Bedford. Newly released CCTV snapshots show the men at Gatwick’s North Terminal train station.
Detective Constable Marsha Brown said, “We believe these men get off the train in central or north London and we’ve been carrying out extensive enquiries to track them down. They’re quite distinctive, and we’re urging anyone who recognises them or saw them on the coach or train in the early hours of 22 July to come forward.”
Police are urging the public to help identify the attackers. Anyone with information or who recognises the men is asked to contact police immediately by calling 101 and quoting reference 44170281379, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
Originally published by UKNIP.
