A security guard who “instinctively” stepped in during a late-night fight at Subway said the restaurant looked like a “warzone”, with food scattered across the floor and debris everywhere.
Doorman Dave Floyd had just finished his shift at the Playhouse Gentleman’s Club on London Road when one of the club’s dancers ran back inside to alert him to a commotion at the nearby sandwich shop.
He said: “One of the dancers came back to the club and was banging on the door, absolutely frantic. She said there was a robbery taking place at Subway, so I went running there with her.
“When I got inside, I saw debris everywhere, food all over the floor, trays, serviettes – it was a real mess. The food prep area looked like a warzone.”
When Dave entered the shop, he noticed two men were fighting a member of staff.
“I grabbed the pair of them and threw them both behind me and then realised the dancer was still inside holding the doors,” he said.
“I restrained them onto the floor and used the radio to get support from the police.”
Dave said one of the men kicked his knee, forcing him to let go of one of them, who then ran from the scene.
He added that late‑night disorder in the area was “not unusual”, with nightlife-related incidents often spilling into nearby businesses.
Hampshire police attended the incident, which occurred at 2.40am on February 20, at the Subway on London Road.
Police confirmed they received an initial report of a robbery, but enquiries established the incident involved a “dispute” between a man and a member of staff.
A spokesman for Hampshire police said: “Officers attended and a man had been detained by security.
“Through enquiries on scene, police were told that a dispute had occurred between the man and staff, during which food was thrown at members of staff.
“No threats were made with a knife, and there was no knife or weapon at the scene.
“The 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of common assault. Following enquiries, including speaking to all parties involved in this incident, a decision was made to release the man with no further action.”
Dave, who lives in Eastleigh but works in Southampton, is 63 and has worked in security for 40 years.
He said: “I’ve been a doorman a long time. We’re trained to run towards danger and help people. It’s instinct.”
Source – Daily Echo
