A quiet Torfaen village was brought to a standstill on Friday after a serious violent incident left a 56-year-old man in a critical condition in hospital.
Residents of Pontnewynydd woke to a heavy police presence on August 7, with cordons thrown up across the area, forensic teams moving through the streets, and a police helicopter circling overhead. For many locals, it was an alarming sight in what is normally a peaceful community.
Gwent Police confirmed they were responding to an incident of serious violent disorder. The 56-year-old victim was rushed to hospital where he remains in a critical condition, leaving friends and neighbours deeply shaken.
Forensic officers were spotted working within the cordoned areas throughout the morning, carefully gathering evidence as detectives worked to piece together exactly what happened. The helicopter continued to sweep the surrounding area as part of the response.
The scale of the operation took many residents by surprise. Streets that would normally see nothing more dramatic than the morning commute were instead filled with officers in forensic suits and police tape stretching across familiar roads.
Gwent Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The investigation is ongoing and officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the Pontnewynydd area on Friday.