Woman suffers ‘potentially life-changing’ injury in knife attack in Swindon

A middle-aged woman has suffered a ‘potentially life-changing’ injury in a late-night knife attack on a Swindon housing estate.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Shalbourne Close, off Downton Road in Penhill, at around 10.45pm tonight (Sunday).

Wiltshire Air Ambulance was called to assist local ambulance crews at the serious assault. Two critical care paramedics attended in a rapid response vehicle at around 11.20pm.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance medics arrived at the scene in a rapid response vehicle

Police officers, detectives and paramedics at the assault scene in Downton Road

The casualty – in her late 40s – has been rushed to Southmead Hospital’s regional major trauma centre in Bristol by land ambulance — with what paramedics are describing as a “potentially life-changing arm injury”.

A cordon is in place around an area of grass in Shalbourne Close, with detectives from Swindon CID at the incident. A house is also being guarded as a crime scene.

A patch of grass was cordoned off as a crime scene following the knife attack

Talking to Wiltshire 999s at the scene of tonight’s attack, Sergeant Richard Tottle said: “Anyone with information regarding this assault should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 immediately.”

An investigation into the incident is underway. Police say no arrests have been made.