Friday, 27 December 2013

Man taken to hospital with multiple cuts to his body after Christmas Day incident at Smithy Fen Travellers' site near Cambridge triggers massive armed police operation - Cambridgeshire

From Cambridge News

A Traveller was taken to hospital on Christmas Day after receiving multiple cuts to his body at a site near Cambridge – triggering a massive armed police operation.

Police were going door-to-door yesterday to reassure Cottenham residents following the incident on the Smithy Fen Travellers’ site.

Dozens of officers, including some armed with guns, and up to 15 police vehicles as well as the force helicopter were called to the site which is off Twentypence Road at about 9.20pm.

The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance with a police escort where he was treated with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

They consisted of multiple cuts to his arms, legs and torso, and detectives have seized a broken bottle.

Crime scene investigators were at the cordoned-off scene on Boxing Day searching for further clues.

Residents enjoying the last hours of Christmas Day were alerted to the incident after seeing the huge amount of police activity.

One resident said: “There were loads of police around the Old Hunting Lodge pub, which was cordoned off.

“I saw an ambulance speeding through the village with a police escort with sirens going and lights flashing. It must have been pretty serious.”

Police officers and PCSOs were out in force yesterday in a bid to reassure families.

Another resident said: “I am not sure what happened on Christmas Day night but a large amount of police vehicles were assembled just off Twentypence Road on the turning to Smithy Fen. It’s unclear if something had happened at the Traveller site or the large white house on the corner.

“There were probably in excess of 15 police cars and vans at the scene from 11pm right through Christmas night, plus the helicopter.

“There were still a few vehicles there throughout Boxing Day, and officers in white crime scene boiler suits and police cordon tape were spotted in the road near the house at lunchtime.”

Police have made two arrests but are appealing for information about the attack, and reassuring residents it was an isolated incident.

A Cambridgeshire police spokeswoman said: “Police were called to Twentypence Road, Cottenham at 9.20pm on Christmas Day with reports that a man had been seriously assaulted.

“The victim was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries and has since been released.

“Two men, aged 47 and 52, from Cottenham, were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and have been bailed.

“Scenes of Crime officers carried out forensic work at the scene and the helicopter was called.

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