Man Arrested After Attempted Entry To Newport Place Of Worship

A man remains in police custody after attempting to force his way into a Jehovah’s Witness memorial event in Newport, raising serious concerns among those attending.

Police were called at around 7.45pm on Thursday evening (April 2) following a 999 report of a man trying to gain entry to the Kingdom Hall on Buckbury Lane.

Families had gathered at the venue, but doors were quickly secured after a man outside became aggressive.

Officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary responded promptly and located a suspect nearby in a black Ford Transit van, which had reportedly been seen in the area throughout the day.

A 44-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Police are understood to have had concerns about the presence of children inside the building and whether the man had approached any of them.

The suspect was also arrested on suspicion of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, as well as drug driving.

He remains in custody while enquiries continue.

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said:

"Police were called at 7.44pm on Thursday 2 April to a report of a male attempting to gain entry to an Easter event at Kingdom Hall, Buckbury Lane, Newport.

"Officers attended and located a man nearby in a Ford Transit van.

"A 44-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence, drug driving, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

"He remains in custody."