Aberfan stabbing – live: Armed police arrest suspect over ‘attempted murder’ of pregnant woman in south Wales

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.

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

Key Points

• Armed police called out to major incident in Wales

• One person hospitalised after serious assault

Major incident in Wales

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:15 , Sam Rkaina

People are being urged to avoid a village after armed officers were deployed to deal with an assault which has left one in hospital.

Police said officers had responded to an incident in Aberfan, South Wales, where schools and a community centre have closed as a precaution.

One person was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for treatment.

The incident took place on Moy Road and people have been told to avoid the area.

“Emergency services are responding to a serious assault that took place on Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr, just before 9.10am this morning,” a South Wales Police spokesman said.

“Armed officers are in the area, and we request that people avoid the area so that we can effectively deal with this incident.”

At least five schools and nurseries on lockdown

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:31 , Athena Stavrou

At least five schools and nurseries in south Wales are on lockdown, The Independent understands.

The schools include Greenfield Special School, Trinity Child & Family Centre, Ysgol Rhyd Y Grug, Ynysowen Nursery School and Afon Taf High School.

It follows reports of a serious assault in Aberfan.

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.”

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:32 , Sam Rkaina

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman added: “We sent one emergency ambulance, one air ambulance and one Cymru high acuity response unit to the scene where advanced critical care support was delivered by the emergency medical retrieval and transfer service.

“We conveyed one patient by road to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff for further treatment.”

Greenfield School, a special needs school, said all perimeter gates have been locked and pupils were being kept indoors.

The Trinity Childcare and Family Centre has also locked its doors, with all staff and children safe inside.

The Wellbeing community centre has also said it is closed until further notice.

Local MP has spoken to police about ‘serious incident’ in Aberfan

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:35 , Holly Evans

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.”

Locals report ‘stabbing’ on social media

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:42 , Holly Evans

Unconfirmed posts on social media from Aberfan locals have reported that armed police have responded to an alleged stabbing, which has caused several schools to be placed on lockdown.

Parents have been told not to collect their children until they have been given the all-clear.

Map shows schools on lockdown in Welsh village

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:45 , Holly Evans

Village is site of former coal tip tragedy

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:56 , Holly Evans

On 21 October, 1966, a coal tip on the hillside above the town of Aberfan in south Wales collapsed, creating a tidal wave of slurry that descended on to houses and a primary school below: 144 people were killed, 116 of whom were children.

Across the world, there was a sense of shock and horror; a disaster fund quickly raised £1.75m to help the community.

Many also wrote letters of sympathy, some 50,000 of which survive today. The writings show how mothers who had lost children in accidents or illness and people from other coal-mining communities felt particularly touched by the Welsh disaster. People with Welsh relatives, backgrounds or even just holiday memories wrote of the warmth of the nation and its people.

Read the full history here

How The Crown portrayed the Aberfan disaster in Wales

Six schools confirm they are currently on lockdown

Tuesday 5 December 2023 12:59 , Holly Evans

Greenfield Special School, Trinity Child & Family Centre, Ysgol Rhyd Y Grug, Ynysowen Nursery School, Afon Taf High School and Abercanaid Community School have all confirmed to The Independent they had locked down on advice of the police.

South Wales Police confirm woman stabbed

Tuesday 5 December 2023 13:04 , Holly Evans

A 29-year-old woman has been stabbed in Moy Road, Aberfan, and armed officers are searching for the suspect, who left the scene, South Wales Police have said.

Six schools have confirmed that they remain in lockdown, while a large police presence is currently in the area.

In a statement, the force said: “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.”

Aberfan local says describes Aberfan as a ‘quiet area’

Tuesday 5 December 2023 13:09 , Holly Evans

A local living near the scene of a serious assault in a village in Wales has said that “nothing like this has happened here”.

Susan Prothero told the PA news agency that she has lived in Aberfan, South Wales, for 30 years.

“(It’s) a very quiet area,” she said. “I have lived here 30 years and nothing like this has happened here.”

She added that all she knew about the incident was that the woman had been taken to hospital.

Member of the Senedd issues statement

Tuesday 5 December 2023 13:13 , Holly Evans

Dawn Bowden, the Welsh Labour & Co-Operative Party Member of the Senedd for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said: “I am aware of a serious incident in Aberfan this morning.

“I have spoken to the Police and will await further information from them. However, please take advice given by the Police who will be grateful for your co-operation while this incident is dealt with. Thank you.”

Greenfield School locks perimeter gates

Tuesday 5 December 2023 13:26 , Holly Evans

In a statement, Greenfield School said they had locked the perimeter gates, while a suspect is on the run after a 29-year-old woman was stabbed.

The headteacher said: “Dear Parents and Carers, We are aware of an ongoing police incident in Aberfan.

“We just wanted to reassure you that as a precaution we are keeping the pupils safe inside the building, and all perimeter gates are locked.”

Locator map shows scene of Aberfan stabbing

Tuesday 5 December 2023 13:37 , Holly Evans

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023 13:38 , Holly Evans

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”.

Full statement from South Wales Police

Tuesday 5 December 2023 14:01 , Holly Evans

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.”

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023 14:14 , Holly Evans

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’

Large police cordon remains in place

Tuesday 5 December 2023 14:26 , Holly Evans

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.

Screams alerted neighbours to the stabbing of ‘pregnant’ woman

Tuesday 5 December 2023 14:39 , Holly Evans

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.

School lockdown lifted

Tuesday 5 December 2023 14:58 , Alexander Butler

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.

Pictured: Scene of stabbing

Tuesday 5 December 2023 15:05 , Alexander Butler

Senior Welsh politicians express concern over today’s incidents

Tuesday 5 December 2023 15:31 , Holly Evans

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023 15:57 , Holly Evans

Police arrest a suspect after manhunt

Tuesday 5 December 2023 16:42 , Holly Evans

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023 16:50 , Holly Evans

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023 17:42 , Barney Davis

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023 18:00 , Barney Davis

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'

Tuesday 5 December 2023 18:11 , Barney Davis

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

Tuesday 5 December 2023 18:20 , Barney Davis

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'

Tuesday 5 December 2023 19:28 , Alex Ross

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

Pause

Tuesday 5 December 2023 23:05 , Alex Ross

We’re now pausing this live blog for overnight. Check back with us in the morning for further updates.