Armed police swarm Plymouth amid reports of a 'serious assault'

by · Mail Online

Armed police have swarmed Plymouth after a person was stabbed in the street as cops continue to search for the suspected attacker.

Police and emergency services rushed to the scene in the West Hoe area just before 9pm on Wednesday after a person was found 'seriously injured' in the street. 

They were treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Derriford Hospital, Devon and Cornwall Police said. 

A male suspect, who is believed to have known the victim, is still on the run, with police desperately searching the surrounding area to locate him. 

A police cordon remains in place between West Hoe Road and Great Western Road and members of the public are being urged to stay away from the area. 

The force said the attack is believed to be 'an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the wider public', adding that a large number of police units remain on scene conducting 'extensive enquiries'.

Forensic officers have been pictured working late into the night, with evidence markers and blood seen spattered on the pavement. 

Armed officers have also been pictured searching a flat close to the waterfront, where the police cordon has been put in place. 

MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for comment.  

Armed police have swarmed Plymouth tonight amid reports of a 'serious assault' in the city
Armed Police are seen entering a flat on Great Western Road, in Plymouth
Police and emergency services rushed to the scene in the West Hoe area of Plymouth at around 9pm
A police spokesperson said that locals are being warned to steer clear of the area as the force deal with the ongoing incident
Police officers stand guard inside a cordon that has been erected between West Hoe Road and Great Western Road
A police officer stand guards outside a block of flats on Great Western Road in Plymouth
A forensic officer carries a box filled with equipment at the scene on Great Western Road in Plymouth 

One eyewitness at the scene told MailOnline: 'The scene is not looking very good.

'I arrived at quarter past nine. When I arrived on the scene the incident was in its early stages and armed police had been deployed.

'Then 15 minutes later a police area response team had arrived.'

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Pebworth said: 'We have a large police presence in the area and enquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest the suspect. 

'We believe this is an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the wider public. 

'We would ask members of the public to please stay away from the West Hoe area of the city while we continue our investigation.'

Posts on social media claimed 'more than 10 police cars' are in the vicinity of West Hoe Road, while videos shared online showed paramedics and multiple police cars at the scene responding to the incident.

BeaglePlymouth posted on X (formerly Twitter) saying 'it feels like every police officer on duty tonight in Plymouth is here' and that one local said they saw someone being given CPR.

Police have erected a police cordon between Great Western Road and West Hoe Road after a person was found 'seriously injured' in the street
Forensics officers uses torches to search the street after a person was 'seriously injured' in Plymouth
South Western Ambulance Service's 'incident response unit' is also on the scene
The Force Incident Manager said: 'We are dealing with a serious assault at the scene. Members of the public are being asked to stay away. Officers remain at the scene.'
Videos shared online show paramedics and multiple police cars at the scene responding to the incident
Posts on social media claim 'more than 10 police cars' are in the vicinity of West Hoe Road 

Another post from a woman using the X username @ParamedicEm said: 'Awful what’s going on in Plymouth. Thoughts with the victims and my colleagues who are having to deal with it all.' 

The Force Incident Manager told PlymouthLive: 'We are dealing with a serious assault at the scene. 

'Members of the public are being asked to stay away. Officers remain at the scene.' 

A staff member at West Hoe pub, which remains open, said there was a lot of police 'just down the road' but was unable to provide more information.

South Western Ambulance Service's 'incident response unit' is also on the scene.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to contact them online or by telephone on 101, quoting log number 756 of 22/01/25.