Summary

  • A 29-year-old pregnant woman has been stabbed in a south Wales valleys village

  • The suspect fled and armed police launched a man hunt

  • South Wales Police said emergency services were called to Moy Road just before 09:10 GMT

  • The force said the woman has been taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening

  • Police said a man, 28, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at about 16:30

  • This is a live situation and we'll continue to bring you updates as it unfolds

  1. What has happened today?published at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    If you're just joining us, here is a recap of this morning's events:

    • A 29-year-old woman has been stabbed in the south Wales village of Aberfan
    • Nearby schools are in lockdown as armed officers hunt a male suspect
    • The woman is hospital in Cardiff with non-life threatening injuries
    • A neighbour said she heard screams and said many people tried to help
    Moy Road in Aberfan
  2. 'People in shock'published at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil, says Aberfan is a "really close-knit community".

    "So I know people will be in shock and real concerned as to what is developing. But people need to stay indoors, avoid the area and let the police do what they are there to do," he told BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Naga Munchetty.

    "Obviously people in the community will understandably be very concerned," he added.

  3. A village steeped in tragedypublished at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    The memory of a devastating mining disaster in Aberfan in 1966 still weighs heavily on the village.

    A school and several houses were engulfed in slurry after a colliery spoil tip collapsed.

    The disaster killed 116 children and 28 adults.

    Today's attack happened just a few hundred yards from a memorial to commemorate the victims of the 1966 tragedy.

  4. Where is Aberfan?published at 13:43 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    Aberfan is located in the south Wales valleys about four miles (6.5km) south of the town of Merthyr Tydfil.

    map Aberfan
  5. Neighbour heard screams before attackpublished at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    BBC correspondent Hywel Griffith spoke to neighbour Katie Roberts, who witnessed this morning’s attack.

    "I heard the screams, I thought it was kids playing at first then I looked out of the window," she said.

    "A lot of people tried to help, a lot of people came out. It’s quite shocking I just hope she’s OK.

    "I didn’t know her, she moved here recently. He was loitering for some time."

    Katie Roberts
  6. Stabbing happened in 'a very quiet area'published at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    This just in from a local living near the scene

    Susan Prothero, who has lived in Aberfan for 30 years, told the PA news agency: "Nothing like this has happened here. (It's) a very quiet area.

    "I have lived here 30 years and nothing like this has happened here."

  7. Woman's injuries not life-threateningpublished at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    Police say the 29-year-old woman has been taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

    They are continuing to request that people avoid the area while the male suspect is still on the run

  8. BREAKING: Woman stabbed and suspect has fledpublished at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023
    Breaking

    South Wales Police say a 29-year-old woman was stabbed in Aberfan this morning.

    The suspect fled the scene and has not yet been caught.

    A search of the immediate area is being carried out by armed officers.

  9. What do we know so far?published at 12:50 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    Moy Road Aberfan
  10. Welcomepublished at 12:43 Greenwich Mean Time 5 December 2023

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage as armed police have been sent to a south Wales town where a person has been assaulted.

    Stay with us for all the latest updates.