A MAN arrested after a pregnant mother was stabbed in the back at least five times on her way to school was “known” to the victim.
Armed officers occupied Moy Road in Aberfan, south Wales after responding to reports of a “targeted attack” at around 9.10am this morning.
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Police arrest man on suspicion of attempted murderCredit: Jon Rowley
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Forensic teams are still in the areaCredit: Media Wales
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The scene on Moy Road after a heavily pregnant 29-year-old woman was stabbedCredit: PA
A man, 28, was taken into custody after at least ten armed police raided a house near the Welsh village of Aberfan – seven hours after a street knife attack.
The mum-of-two, 29, was under armed police guard at the hospital as doctors checked the health of her unborn baby, who is due at Christmas.
Video footage shows the man being taken away by officers this afternoon on Wyndham Road, about 1.5 miles from the crime scene.
At a press conference tonight, Chief Inspector Miles said: “I appreciate there will be a real sense of shock in the community where the attack took place in broad daylight.”
He described the stabbing as a “targeted attack”.
The arrested person is known to the victim, who remains in the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Witness Katie Roberts told Sky News that the woman attacked was “heavily pregnant”.
Roberts said: “I heard some screams this morning. I looked out the window and saw a man on top of a woman.
“At first I thought he was punching her – but then I realized he stabbed her in the back.
“When I looked out the window, I saw that she had been stabbed several times, and I just ran out of the house with towels, and he ran away.
“I ran out of the house right after that. I ran to her in the street and held towels to her wounds.”
A local mum added: “We heard all hell broke loose. She’s heavily pregnant, maybe seven or eight months along and she was taking one of her children to school.
“But the police are everywhere and we heard that the guy got away
– Aberfan has been through enough without all this.
Villager Gareth Jones, 64, told MailOnline: “She hadn’t been here long and she was very pregnant – not far from giving birth.
“She was taking her child to one of the local schools when this man appeared out of nowhere and stabbed her in the street.
“Looks like the guy’s still at large, the police are all over the place.”
A police spokesman said earlier today: “South Wales Police were called shortly before 9.10 this morning to reports that a 29-year-old woman had been stabbed in Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr.
“The suspect left the scene immediately after the event, and an investigation is underway to find him.
“A search of the surrounding area by armed officers is underway.
“Local schools have activated their lockdown protocols to keep students safe during the incident
“We continue to ask that people avoid the area so that we can effectively deal with this incident.
“The woman was transported to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.”
The Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called at around 9.10am today to reports of an incident in Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil.
“We sent one ambulance, one ambulance and one Cymru High Acuity Response unit to the scene.
“Advanced intensive care was provided by the Emergency Medical Assistance and Transfer Service.
“We transported one patient by road to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for further treatment.”
SCHOOL LOCKING
Afon Taf High School, Greenfield Special School, Ynysowen Primary School, Ysgol Rhyd Y Grugand Trinity Nursery are closed as a precaution – with all staff and children safe.
It is understood that schools and kindergartens are not connected to the attack.
Greenfield Special School has now lifted the lockdown.
A spokesman said: “I can now confirm that we are not closed and we are continuing to operate as normal.
“However, we have decided to postpone our Christmas Fair until tomorrow night.”
Some local shops are also believed to have locked their doors following the attack and a dog walker has delayed all services in the area.
Afon Taf High School told parents: “The school is currently closed due to a police incident in the village.
“All students are safe. Please do not contact the students as they are all fine.”
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Ynysowen Primary School told parents: “Due to an incident which has taken place nearby the school is currently closed as a precaution.
“All the children are fine, we will inform the parents in due course.
“Please do not call the school as the lines are free in case the police need to be called.”
Trinity Childcare said: “We are currently in isolation as a precaution due to an incident within the community.
“All staff and children are safe.”
The Wellbeing Community Center also said it was closed until further notice.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford told the Senedd: “At the moment our thoughts are with the people caught up in them.
“No doubt, there will be more to learn.”
Local MP Gerald Jones said: “I have spoken to the police regarding a serious incident in Aberfan this morning.
“You may see an increased police presence in the area and I would encourage everyone to co-operate with officers as they deal with the incident.”
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Armed officers on Wyndham Road, about 1.5 miles from the crime scene Credit: Athena
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Local schools are currently closed Credit: Media Wales
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Armed police swooped on the Welsh village of AberfanCredit: Media Wales
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education