Armed cops descend on Plymouth after 'stabbing' as manhunt launched for suspect

23 January 2025, 02:15 | Updated: 23 January 2025, 06:55

UK Police car lights flashing at a crime scene
UK Police car lights flashing at a crime scene. Picture: Alamy

By Josef Al Shemary

Police officers and emergency services flooded West Hoe in Plymouth after reports of a ‘serious assault’ in the city, as police warn locals to ‘stay away’.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A large police presence descended on the area, with reports that armed cops and a drone had been deployed to the scene.

Police and emergency services rushed to West Hoe, in southern Plymouth, at around 9pm on Wednesdsy after a person was found seriously injured in the street on West Hoe Road.

They were treated at the scene by paramedics and are now receiving further treatment in Derriford Hospital.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a large number of police units are on the scene ‘conducting extensive enquiries’ in an attempt to find the male suspect.

It said the suspect and the victim are thought to be 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.”

Posts on social media show dozens of police vehicles and a very large police presence.

One local, who is understood to be a paramedic, posted about the incident on X. She said: ”Awful what’s going on in Plymouth.

“Thoughts with the victims and my colleagues who are having to deal with it all.”

Officers remain at the scene, and the nature of the assault remains unclear.

One witness reportedly said: "I've seen someone being given CPR. It feels like every police officer on duty tonight in Plymouth is here."

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.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Lucy Letby

Lawyer for killer nurse Lucy Letby to hand over 'fresh' evidence he hopes will clear her name

World leaders react to US tariffs

'This is not the act of a friend': World leaders react to Trump's 'unwarranted' tariffs

The millionaire businesswoman has called for an urgent safety review by TfL after the emergency Help Point failed in a central London station.

Millionaire businesswoman abandoned on Tube platform by staff after 'traumatising' assault

British couple

British couple found dead in New Zealand named - as police probe possible murder-suicide

Virginia Giuffre said she had been left with 'four days to life' after the crash

Bus driver breaks silence on Virginia Giuffre crash that left her 'with four days to live'

Police at the Biffa recycling plant in Hartlepool

Human remains found at recycling plant in Hartlepool as probe launched

Foreign Secretary David Lammy

David Lammy to urge Nato allies to increase defence spending in bid to make alliance 'stronger, fairer and more lethal'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

EU threatens further countermeasures against US tariffs after 'major blow to world economy'

Police have urged parents to report their children to anti-terror programme Prevent if they are watching harmful content online

'Report your children to Prevent if they're watching misogynist videos online', police urge parents

Donald Trump signs an executive order imposing tariffs on imported goods

'Liberation Day' explained: What are Trump's tariffs and how will they impact the UK?

The blurry thieves stole £3,000 worth of cigarettes and vapes.

Police release CCTV after thieves steal £3,000 of vapes - but images leave the public calling for 'the ghostbusters'

Julie Goodyear

Julie Goodyear's husband shares rare photo of Coronation Street star two years on from dementia diagnosis

: An aerial view shows the scorched graveyard around a church following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London

Londoners urged not to have barbecues this weekend amid soaring temperatures 'because of wildfire risk'

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' and warns that the president 'hasn't thought it through'

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Husband left 'utterly bereft' after Brit mum and two daughters killed in New York car crash

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2: Exciting reveal, but why is it more expensive here?