Nine Arrested in Suffolk Village Brawl

Late in the evening on Monday 16th November, police were called to reports of the incident at Orchard Valley in Holton, near Halesworth.

During the fight, one man was struck to the head with a baseball bat and another man sustained knife wounds to his arms. 

Officers arrived in the village shortly after being called and located a suspect vehicle and another car which was believed to be linked to this incident. They also began making enquiries at the scene of the incident in Orchard Valley. 

Nine people – all from the wider Halesworth area – were subsequently arrested in connection with this incident as follows:
–    Five men: aged 46; 26; 23; 21 and 18; a 24-year-old woman; and a 15-year-old boy; were all arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, and affray
–    A 29-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy were both arrested on suspicion of affray. 

Two of the men who were arrested were taken to hospital for treatment, but one has since been discharged, so eight of the suspects are in police custody for questioning. One man remains in hospital for treatment to deep lacerations on his arms.  

Detectives are linking this incident to a report of another altercation, which occurred in Blythburgh at around 6pm the same evening, where two teenage boys are alleged to have had a fight. 

Inspector Mark Jackson, Local Policing Commander for Halesworth, said: “We understand that an incident of this nature may cause some concern in a small village like Holton, but I would like to reassure local residents that we believe this to be entirely contained to the parties involved and as such there is no threat to the wider community.”

Any witnesses, or anyone with information about these incidents, is asked to contact East CID at Lowestoft Police Station, quoting reference: 66620/20. Email – EastCID@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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