West Hoe incident: Police urge public to 'stay away' as male suspect being hunted

Devon and Cornwall Police have urged Plymouth residents to avoid the West Hoe area while they hunt for a male suspect after a "serious assault".

On Wednesday, January 22 police were called to West Hoe Road at around 8.55pm after a person was found seriously injured. Paramedics treated them at the scene before transporting them to Derriford Hospital.

Images posted on social media show a huge emergency response in the area with one person on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming: "I've seen someone being given CPR. It feels like every police officer on duty tonight in Plymouth is here." Another local said he saw police descend on a block of flats.

Police have issued a fresh update on the incident by way of a statement shared the early hours of Thursday, January 23.

READ MORE: West Hoe incident major update as huge police presence remains in Plymouth

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police are currently responding to a report of a serious assault in the West Hoe area of Plymouth. Officers were called at 8.55pm on Wednesday, 22 January after a person was found seriously injured in the street on West Hoe Road.

"They were treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Derriford Hospital. A large number of police units remain on scene conducting extensive enquiries and searches in the area to locate a male suspect.

"The pair are believed known to each other. A scene guard remains in place on West Hoe Road and the road has been closed."

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.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to assist police is asked to contact police online or by telephone on 101, quoting log number 756 of 22/01/25.

Follow our live blog for the latest updates on this incident by clicking here.

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