A 49-year-old man was arrested today on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman was stabbed several times at a cemetery in Exeter.
According to the Express and Echo website, police were called at around 10.55 am to St. Bartholomew’s Cemetery on Bonhay Road, where a woman, aged 34, had been attacked.
A police helicopter helped officers in their search for the suspect, who was caught shortly after the incident.
The reasons behind the violence remain unclear but the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, despite suffering several wounds.
The cemetery where the attack occurred is close to the city centre and not far from student accommodation at St.David’s and Point Exe.
Police have emphasised that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing. But Acting Exeter Sector Inspector Julian Pezzani told the Express and Echo: “We are grateful to everyone who has come forward already and we urge anyone else who may have seen what happened to get in touch with police.
“We would also like to thank the members of the public who helped the woman after she was attacked.”
Despite the sudden brutality of the attack a swift police operation to deal with the crime is comforting for local students. Fourth-year Accounting and Finance student Janaissa Eaglestone told Exeposé: “It’s very reassuring to know the police responded so quickly to such a serious incident”.
The police helicopter was crucial in dealing with today’s events. You can follow the work of Exeter’s National Police Air Service helicopter on Twitter via @NPAS_Exeter. The account tweeted about the incident earlier today.
Vehicle containing suspect for a stabbing in Bonhay Road, Exeter located by NPAS 44. Male now in Police custody.
— NPAS Exeter (@NPAS_Exeter) October 21, 2013
The attack provoked a number of shocked responses on the social networking site, with a number of users retweeting the Express and Echo report alongside exclamations of disbelief and condemnation.
Students who have any information about the crime should call 101 quoting incident number 262 and the date 21/10/13.
For more information about staying safe in Exeter visit Sense Exeter, a resource provided by the Students’ Guild.
Liam Trim, Online Editor
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