A huge manhunt is underway for a male murder suspect after a woman died following a ‘serious assault’ in the street last night.
Officers were called to West Hoe Road, in Plymouth, at around 8.55pm on Wednesday after the woman, known to the attacker, was found seriously injured.
The female victim, in her 40s, was treated at the scene by paramedics and rushed to the city’s Derriford Hospital, but was sadly pronounced deceased in the early hours. Her next of kin have been informed.
Police have now launched an urgent murder probe and are desperately trying to hunt down the attacker, who is still at large.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the man murder detectives are hunting is known to the woman, whose identity has not yet been made public.
Armed officers and emergency crews dramatically descended on the scene last night and a large number of police units remain on scene conducting extensive enquiries and searches in the area.
Five heavily armed officers stormed an apartment at a Great Western Road complex, but are thought to have left soon after.
Forensic officers were spotted working late into the night, with evidence markers and blood seen spattered on the pavement.
A scene guard remains and local road closures have been put in place over the course of the night and into the morning.
Armed police were also seen searching a flat close to the waterfront, where the police cordon has been put in place.
One witness at the scene told last night: ‘The scene is not looking very good.
‘I arrived at quarter past nine. When I arrived on the scene the incident was in its early stages and armed police had been deployed.
‘Then 15 minutes later a police area response team had arrived.’
DCI David Pebworth said: ‘Cordons will likely remain in place for the rest of the day and police units will remain in the area.
‘I wish to make the public aware we are looking to locate a man in relation to this incident whose identity is known, and enquiries are ongoing to find him.
‘At this time, I would like to reassure the community and further afield in Plymouth that there is no suggestion that there is a wider risk to members of the public.
‘There will be a heightened police presence and visibility in the coming days in the area as enquiries are ongoing.
‘We will of course update the public once we have further information.’