Armed police attend major incident in Aberfan as schools are locked down

Emily Price

Several schools and childcare centres have been locked down in the Aberfan area of Merthyr Tydfil following a major incident.

Armed police, ambulances and a helicopter were at the scene just after 9 o’ clock this morning.

One person was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for treatment.

Operation

MS for Merthyr Tydfil, Dawn Bowden issued a statement on social media that said: “I am aware of a serious incident in Aberfan this morning. I have spoken to the Police and will await further information from them.

“However, please take advice given by the Police who will be grateful for your co-operation while this incident is dealt with. Thank you.”

Text messages were sent to parents of pupils of Ynysown Primary School in Aberfan that said: “Due to an incident in the locality school is currently on lock down as a precautionary measure. All children are well, we will update parents in due course.

“Please do not call the school as we are keeping the lines free incase police need to call.”

Dafydd Price has a child at Ynysowen Primary School. He said: “I came back from the school run this morning and saw about five police cars and ambulances race past my house. I went outside and there was a helicopter overhead.

“I watched it fly down the valley toward the school and it hovered there for a while. I left the house straight away and walked down the street to see what was going on.

“There were people gathered by the shop in Merthyr Vale talking about the helicopter. Armed police came up the hill and went down to the train station. I wanted to go straight to the school to pic up my daughter but I got a text message from the head teacher telling parents to stay away.”

Another resident told Nation.Cymru she had been stopped by armed police and asked for train times.

She said: “Two riot vans pulled up by Merthyr Vale station. Cops came out and then got a radio call. All jumped back in and sped off again.”

Stagecoach has diverted buses away from the Aberfan area.

MP for Merthyr Tydfil, Gerald Jones told Sky news: “Aberfan is a very close knit and tight community. The community centre and the schools have locked down because they are in very close proximity to the incident in Moy Road.

“There is undoubtedly serious concern within the community this morning and hopefully the police can be given the time to deal with this incident that’s developing.”

“I have spoken to police regarding a serious incident in Aberfan this morning.

In a Facebook post, the MP said: “You may see an increased police presence in the area and I’d encourage everyone to co-operate with police officers as they as they deal with the incident.”

In a statement, South Wales Police said: “Emergency services are responding to serious assault that took place on Moy Road, #Aberfan, #Merthyr just before 9.10am this morning.

“Armed officers are in the area, and we request that people avoid the area so that we can effectively deal with this incident. More detail will follow as soon as available.”

More to follow…