Police alert after reports of a group armed with baseball bats near Ashley Junior School

POLICE swooped on New Milton Rugby Club’s Ashley field following reports of a group armed with baseball bats.

Called out to a disturbance in Normans Way around 2.30pm yesterday (Monday), officers found three suspects on Ashley recreation ground.

The trio was escorted to a parked vehicle, which they were seen getting out of.

But having been told they would be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act, they became obstructive and fled on foot.

Following a search, a 24-year-old New Milton man was detained for obstructing an officer.

He was released to attend a police interview at a later date as officers seized a blue Ford Focus amid ongoing investigations.

A Hampshire police spokesperson said that, contrary to witness reports, there was no indication that armed officers responded.

“Police were called out at 2.30pm yesterday (Monday) following reports of threats being made by a group of people towards an unknown person on Normans Way,” the spokesperson said.

“It was alleged that they were carrying baseball bats.”

They added enquiries were ongoing to locate others involved in the disturbance.

People took to Facebook to share concerns about the incident taking place near Ashley Junior School.

But a school staff member told the A&T pupils were not affected and left as normal at home time shortly afterwards.