Paddy Power manager describes scene after Trowbridge knife attack

Duty manager of Paddy Power betting shop in Fore Street, Phil Gerrish, rushed outside after hearing sirens and seeing blue flashing lights on Monday evening.

He witnessed police trying to stem the blood from a cut to the head of a young man.

“The bloke was on a bench and there was tin foil around him to keep him warm," he said.

“He was heavily bandaged around the head and they were trying to stop the bleeding.

“There was blue tape on either side of the shop and police told me to get back inside and stay there.

“The shop was the quietest it has ever been. There was just no-one coming in.”

The man suffered a head wound after allegedly being attacked by a man with a knife, said by eyewitnesses to be a machete.

The attack left blood spots all over the pavement in several places in Fore Street and Park Road. Image: Trevor Porter 76885-8 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The man was treated on a bench between Coffee #1 and the Santander Bank in Fore Street before being whisked off to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Police cordoned off parts of Trowbridge town centre for two hours to conduct forensic investigations and take photographs of the scene.

They closed Silver Street, St George's Works, Market Street, Fore Street, Narrow Wine Street and Park Road while they conducted their investigations.

After cordoning off the scene and sealing off parts of the town centre, police ordered taxi drivers using the Market Street taxi rank to park elsewhere.

One of the drivers, Mehmet Atescelik, of Trowbridge Cabs, said: “I arrived at about 6.50pm and the police would not let me to come to the rank.

“They blocked off the town and the ambulance was already there.”

The police cordons were lifted around 9pm and officers’ investigations then focused on an area outside flats in Park Road where the attack took place.

A trail of blood spots could be seen on the pavement and road leading from Park Road to Fore Street following the incident.

Police have arrested a 43-year-old man in connection with the alleged attack, which happened at around 6.30pm.

The flats in Park Road on which police focused part of their investigation. Image: Trevor Porter 76885-9 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and at time of writing remains in police custody. 

A police spokesman said: “The injured man has been taken to hospital and his injuries are not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening.

“Members of the public may notice an increased police presence, with extra patrols being mounted in the area.

The bench opposite Trowbridge Town Hall where the knife attack victim was treated for his injury. Image: Trevor Porter 76885-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

“Detectives would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident, which took place at about 6.45pm.

“If you can help, please call us on 101 quoting log 54240031507.

“Alternatively, you can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”