Aberfan stabbing – latest: Armed police in South Wales hunt suspect after ‘pregnant’ woman attacked

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Aberfan Schools on lockdown as armed police called out to ‘serious assault’

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Armed police have been called to a major incident in South Wales after a 29-year-old ‘pregnant’ woman was stabbed, with the suspect still on the run.

Several schools in Aberfan have been placed into lockdown as the force urged people to avoid the area. The incident, which took place at 9.10am is ongoing, South Wales Police have said.

Schools closed include 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.

Have you been affected by this? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

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Pictures of the scene

Holly Evans5 December 2023 15:571701790293

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.

Holly Evans5 December 2023 15:311701788732

Pictured: Scene of stabbing

Alexander Butler5 December 2023 15:051701788291

School lockdown lifted

Greenfield School has said it is no longer in lockdown after police advised schools in the area to close their doors as its armed officers frantically searched for a suspect.

The school earlier issued a statement to parents saying that it was keeping the pupils safe inside the building and all perimeter gates had been locked.

Alexander Butler5 December 2023 14:581701787162

Screams alerted neighbours to the stabbing of ‘pregnant’ woman

A mother has said that her daughter’s scream alerted neighbours to the stabbing of a “pregnant” 29-year-old woman in South Wales.

Lynne Terrett, from Merthyr Tydfil, said that her daughter, Kira Terrett, was walking her dog near her home in Aberfan when she witnessed the incident.

She said that her daughter looked around after she heard the sound of the woman running towards her.
“(The woman) fell,” she said. “My daughter screamed, and people came out from everywhere.” She said that man who stabbed the woman then fled the scene.

“If she had not screamed, people would not have gone out,” she said. She added that her daughter was “very shook up” following the incident, and said that the victim was pregnant.

Holly Evans5 December 2023 14:391701786404

Large police cordon remains in place

A large police cordon is in place along Moy Road and Coronation Place, with locals warned to steer clear and to follow police guidance.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police confirmed that the incident remains ongoing and the suspect has not been arrested.

Holly Evans5 December 2023 14:261701785690

Full story: Manhunt after woman stabbed in South Wales village as schools on lockdown

Schools have been placed in lockdown as armed police hunt for a knifeman who attacked a woman in a rural Welsh town.

The 29-year-old woman was knifed in Aberfan, South Wales, following reports of the stabbing near a school, police said.

Up to six schools have been placed into lockdown in a three-mile wide radius as South Wales Police urged people to avoid the area after the stabbing at 9.10am.

Read the full article here

Schools on lockdown as armed police called out to ‘serious assault’

Armed police were called to Aberfan in south Wales following reports of a stabbing

Holly Evans5 December 2023 14:141701784868

Full statement from South Wales Police

In a statement, they said: “South Wales Police were called just before 9.10am this morning with a report that a 29-year-old woman had been stabbed on Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr

“The suspect left the scene immediately after the incident and enquiries are ongoing to find him. A search of the immediate area is being carried out by armed officers.

“Local schools have activated their lockdown protocols to keep pupils safe whilst the incident is ongoing.

“We continue to request that people avoid the area so that we can effectively deal with this incident.

“The woman has been taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.”

Holly Evans5 December 2023 14:011701783513

Aberfan is a ‘close-knit community’, says local MP

Aberfan is a “close-knit community” that will have “serious concern” following the stabbing of a 29-year-old woman, the MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney has said

Labour MP Gerald Jones told Sky News on Tuesday: “Aberfan is a very close knit, tight community.

“The community centre and the schools are very close by, hence the reason why police are keen for people not to go to the area.

“The community centre has closed its doors for the moment, and the schools have locked down as well because they are in very close proximity to Moy Road.

“The community, as I said, is a very tight-knit community so there is, undoubtedly, serious concern within the community.”

He added that he had been assured by police that they were dealing with the incident “as quickly and effectively as they can”.

Holly Evans5 December 2023 13:381701783430

Locator map shows scene of Aberfan stabbing

Locator map shows scene of Aberfan 'stabbing'Holly Evans5 December 2023 13:37NewerOlder✕

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