Aberfan stabbing – live: Armed police arrest suspect over ‘attempted murder’ of pregnant woman in south Wales
Schools and nursery have been put into lockdown including Afon Taf High School, Greenfield Special School and nursery Trinity Childcare and Family Centre
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Armed police have arested South Wales after a 29-year-old ‘pregnant’ woman was stabbed, leading to a large scale manhunt.
After several hours, a 28-year-old man from Merthyr Tydfil was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was escorted into police custody.
Several schools in Aberfan had been placed into lockdown as the force urged people to avoid the area.
Schools closed included Afon Taf High School, Greenfield Special School and nursery Trinity Childcare and Family Centre.
Trinity Childcare and Family Centre, added: “Trinity Childcare and Family Centre Ltd Aberfan are currently in lockdown as a precaution due to an incident within the community. All staff and children are safe.”
Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said: “I have spoken to police regarding a serious incident in Aberfan this morning.
“You may see an increased police presence in the area and I’d encourage everyone to co-operate with police officers as they deal with the incident.”
The Welsh village is known for being the site of the Aberfan disaster, when a coal tip on the hillside descended onto several houses and a school in 1966, killing 144 people, 116 of whom were children.
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Senior Welsh politicians express concern over today’s incidents
Senior Welsh politicians speaking in the Senedd have expressed concern about this morning’s events.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Events continue to unfold and I think for the moment our thoughts are with people caught up in them”.
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies said: “I’m sure everyone’s thoughts are with that community and those involved in trying to restore the situation.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru’s leader, also expressed his concern for the community and thanked all those who had taken part in the emergency response.
Pictures of the scene
Police arrest a suspect after manhunt
A statement from South Wales Police said: “Following a report that a 29-year-old woman had been stabbed on Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr earlier this morning, officers have arrested a 28-year-old man from Merthyr on suspicion of attempted murder.
“He is currently in police custody.”
Pictures from the scene of arrest
Pictures have emerged of the scene where a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. This follows a police manhunt after a woman, who was reportedly pregnant, was stabbed in Aberfan.
Suspect ‘calm’ after being led away by armed police in handcuffs
Local resident Lynette Tyner, 51, said she was walking along Wyndham Street in Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Tydfil, to visit a friend when she saw armed police enter a terraced house in the road.
Police have not confirmed the incident is linked to the stabbing in nearby Aberfan earlier on Tuesday.
“The police vehicles went up the street and they just went into the house like a tonne of bricks,” she said.
“We haven’t seen them bring any weapon out.”
The grandmother said officers were in the property for around half an hour before they brought out a man in handcuffs and placed him in a marked police wagon.
“It must have been him because he was in all black,” she said.
“He came out quiet and he had a black hoodie on and he didn’t have any trainers on – he was barefoot.
“He was handcuffed. He had a hoodie over his face to cover his face.
“He was calm.”
Police say suspect is known to woman stabbed in targeted attack
South Wales Chief Inspector Rob Miles gave an update to reporters on the Aberfan stabbing.
He made the following points:
- The man is known to the victim and is in police custody
- This was a targeted attack and the woman remains in hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening
- Neighbourhood officers have been in the area to ensure pupils have been able to leave schools safely
- Schools will open tomorrow as normal
Woman was victim of ‘targeted attack'
Chief Inspector Rob Miles, of South Wales Police, read a statement outside Merthyr police station in which he said the woman had been the victim of a “targeted attack”.
“South Wales Police were called just after 9.10am following reports that a woman had been stabbed in Moy Road, Aberfan,” he said.
“The suspect left the scene immediately and armed officers have been carrying inquiries throughout the day to trace him.
“This afternoon a 28-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
“The man was known to the victim and is currently in police custody.”
Suspect was local and detained at 3.50pm
Mr Miles continued: “I appreciate that there will be a real sense of shock to the local community with the attack having happened in broad daylight.
“Local schools activated the lockdown protocols to keep people safe.
“Neighbourhood officers have been in the area to ensure pupils have been able to leave the school safely at the normal time.
“This was done as a precaution and schools will open tomorrow as normal.
“This was a targeted attack.
“The woman remains in hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life threatening at this time.
“I want to thank the local community and partners for their patience and support throughout today’s police operation to trace and arrest the suspect.”
‘Real sense of shock'
Chief Inspector Rob Miles, of South Wales Police, read a statement outside Merthyr police station in which he said the woman had been the victim of a “targeted attack”.
Read our round-up on today’s events in the small village of Aberfan:
Armed police swoop on suspect after pregnant woman knifed in Welsh village
South Wales Police Chief Inspector Miles said Aberfan stabbing was a ‘shock to the community’