‘Attempted Murder Attack’ in Burpham – Guildford Man Charged

Published on: 14 May, 2016
Updated on: 15 May, 2016

Map of Burpham show locations of attacks. (Click to enlarge.)

A Guildford man in his twenties has been charged this evening (May 14) with a number of offences in connection with an “attempted murder attack” in Burpham on Thursday, May 12.

Raymond Benjamin Harms, 25, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, dangerous driving, affray and criminal damage in relation to incidents in Lawrence Close and Bowers Farm Drive earlier this week.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at South East Surrey Magistrates Court (Redhill) on Monday, 16 May. A spokesperson said that Surrey Police would like to thank the numerous members of the public who came forward to provide information in the days following the incidents and enquiries are continuing.

Three other Guildford men, aged 29, 31 and 47, were arrested yesterday on suspicion of attempted murder, affray and criminal damage and have been released on bail until June 13.

A 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder was been released with no further action taken.

Police officers were called to Bowers Farm Drive in Burpham, near Sainsbury’s supermarket, shortly before 8pm on Thursday, following reports of a serious assault.

Members of the public reported seeing an altercation between two groups of men and a white panel striking a man in the road before driving away from the area at high speed.

The victim of the attack, named locally as Harry Dodd, aged 21, suffered serious head, arm and leg injuries and was taken by ambulance to St George’s Hospital in Tooting. He remains in a serious but stable condition and his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Following the incident officers cordoned off the road for several hours while the scene was examined and an extensive search of the surrounding area took place.

The panel van was found by police later that evening in Elstead and had been deliberately set alight. The vehicle is currently being forensically examined as part of ongoing enquiries.

Police are also linking the assault to another altercation which took place a short time earlier on the same evening in Lawrence Close.

Detective Inspector Nick Chambers said: “This was clearly a deeply concerning incident where a young man has suffered serious injuries and we are carrying out a thorough and extensive investigation to establish what happened.

“It would appear that there were a number of different incidents in the Burpham area on Thursday evening all involving the same groups of people – who are all known to each other.

“The assault took place in a very public place and although we have made a number of arrests and a large number of witnesses have come forward I feel sure there must have been others who saw what happened but have yet to come forward.

“I know there were people taking photos and video of the incident and I would ask anyone with footage of the attack to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“I am also very keen to hear from anyone who saw the white panel van being abandoned and set on fire in Elstead and where the occupants went following that.

“I appreciate this was a very worrying incident for Burpham residents but I would like to assure them that we will have additional high visibility patrols in the area over the coming days and we are determined to do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.”

Surrey Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information or footage should call on 101, quoting reference 45160039434 or Operation Focus, or to call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.