Five people have been arrested after 17-year-old boy was found with serious injuries in Wales village – residents said it’s the ‘scariest thing ever to happen’ in their neighbourhood
A murder probe has been launched after a teenager died. Five people have been arrested following reports of an incident at an address in Abertridwr on Thursday evening (February 5)
Officers from Gwent Police were called to a property on Lower Francis Street around 5.45pm where a 17-year-old boy had suffered a serious injury. The youngster from Abertridwr was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Three men, a 26-year-old from London, a 24-year-old from Abertridwr and an 18-year-old from Cardiff, were all arrested on suspicion of murder. Two women, a 28-year-old from Hereford and a 24-year-old from Senghenydd, were both arrested on suspicion of aiding an offender.
All five are still being held by police as investigations continue, reports WalesOnline. The local community has been left reeling by the shocking events. One resident, speaking as crime scene officers in white protective suits combed the area, said: “It is quite shocking to hear.
“We did know the boy and we live so near and my cousin lives on the corner. It’s definitely the scariest thing to happen in the village.
“You don’t hear about murder often especially in the valleys. Abertridwr is a very tight knit community.”
With just around 6,000 residents, the former coal mining village of Abertridwr is known as a close-knit community where many families have lived for generations.
Paul Yandle, a nearby resident, expressed his disbelief: “It was a massive shock. The street is very very quiet and it’s largely middle aged to elderly people. You wouldn’t expect anything like this to happen on your doorstep.
“We feel for the family as well and we have no idea of the circumstances. It’s frightening.”
Another said: “It’s dreadful and it’s always more shocking when it happens right on your doorstep. You hear about these things on TV and radio, but you never expect it to happen here.
While one added: “I returned from work to see flashing lights and initially couldn’t get back to my house. After speaking with an officer, they let me through. I’m really shocked this happened.
“It feels like it’s becoming the norm. Years ago, you’d be utterly shocked, but now you come home and it’s just a couple of doors down. It’s horrendous and so sad. Who would have thought we’d see something like this in our lifetime?
“I’ve been living here for nine years without any trouble. It’s usually a quiet, lovely community, then all of a sudden, you come home and bang. “
One woman commented: “It’s a sombre mood that’s settled over the community, and it’s truly heartbreaking for the family. I’m not frightened, just deeply saddened by the events that have unfolded.
“The entire street seems to be in a state of mourning, and it’s eerily quiet today.”
Senior investigating officer from Gwent Police, detective chief inspector Jitka Tomkova-Griffiths asked people not to speculate about the incident. He told people locally to expect to see police in the area.
A statement from the force reads: “Anyone with information can contact us by calling 101, sending a direct message on social media or via the form on our website and quoting log reference 2600038325. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”