Armed police were called to a migrant hotel in Bournemouth today after a man was attacked with a machete. The victim was involved in an altercation with another man in Boscombe Chine Gardens at about 12.40pm.
During the row, the attacker is alleged to have produced the long-bladed weapon and struck the victim over the head. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries that police say are not believed to be life-threatening.
Police cordon and arrest
Police officers swarmed on the scene and cordoned off the area, which is close to Boscombe beach. Their enquiries led them to the nearby Chine Hotel, where a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm.
The suspect was seen being led out of the hotel by officers and into the back of a police van.
Migrant hotel background
The Chine Hotel is one of three in the Bournemouth area that has been hired out by the Home Office and used to house asylum seekers. The Victorian hotel, which attracted stars like Dame Vera Lynn and Laurel & Hardy in its heyday, backs onto the public gardens and also has stunning sea views.
But it has been closed to the public for several years since it was turned into a migrant hotel. The move is said to have led to a rise in local crime, including assaults, drug taking and anti-social behaviour, and caused property prices to drop.
Police statement
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 12.40pm today of a man in possession of a machete in Boscombe Chine Gardens.
"It is reported that during an altercation a man sustained an injury to his head. He has been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
"A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing attempted grievous bodily harm.
"There will be an increased police presence in the area while enquiries are carried out to establish the full circumstances of what happened."
