A man identified by police as an Afghan national was arrested Tuesday after allegedly attacking multiple people with a weapon inside Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows, England, authorities said.
Merseyside Police confirmed officers were dispatched to the hospital shortly after noon following reports of a 20-year-old man behaving aggressively in a public area of the facility. Investigators said the suspect had arrived seeking a medical appointment but became increasingly agitated after staff declined the request and asked him to leave.
According to police, the man damaged a counter inside the hospital before assaulting several people in a waiting area. Witnesses reported that the weapon used appeared to be a crowbar, though police said the item is still being formally examined as part of the investigation.
The suspect was quickly located by responding officers and arrested at the scene without further incident. He was taken into custody on suspicion of five counts of Section 18 wounding, affray, and criminal damage. His name has not been released.
Emergency medical crews already on site at the hospital provided treatment to the victims. Police said five people were injured in the attack and received care from paramedics. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Superintendent Sarah Rotherham said officers acted swiftly to secure the scene and prevent further harm. “We were called to reports of a man behaving aggressively at the hospital who had assaulted a number of people,” Rotherham said, according to LBC. “Officers attended immediately and the male was swiftly located and arrested. Paramedics attended at the hospital and carried out first aid to those who had been injured.”
Police said the hospital remained operational following the incident, though parts of the building were briefly secured while officers conducted initial inquiries. Authorities added that there was no ongoing risk to the public.
Investigators are continuing to review CCTV footage, witness statements, and the sequence of events leading up to the attack. Police have not indicated whether the suspect’s immigration status played any role in the incident, and no motive has been formally established.
Merseyside Police confirmed officers were dispatched to the hospital shortly after noon following reports of a 20-year-old man behaving aggressively in a public area of the facility. Investigators said the suspect had arrived seeking a medical appointment but became increasingly agitated after staff declined the request and asked him to leave.
According to police, the man damaged a counter inside the hospital before assaulting several people in a waiting area. Witnesses reported that the weapon used appeared to be a crowbar, though police said the item is still being formally examined as part of the investigation.
The suspect was quickly located by responding officers and arrested at the scene without further incident. He was taken into custody on suspicion of five counts of Section 18 wounding, affray, and criminal damage. His name has not been released.
Emergency medical crews already on site at the hospital provided treatment to the victims. Police said five people were injured in the attack and received care from paramedics. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Superintendent Sarah Rotherham said officers acted swiftly to secure the scene and prevent further harm. “We were called to reports of a man behaving aggressively at the hospital who had assaulted a number of people,” Rotherham said, according to LBC. “Officers attended immediately and the male was swiftly located and arrested. Paramedics attended at the hospital and carried out first aid to those who had been injured.”
Police said the hospital remained operational following the incident, though parts of the building were briefly secured while officers conducted initial inquiries. Authorities added that there was no ongoing risk to the public.
Investigators are continuing to review CCTV footage, witness statements, and the sequence of events leading up to the attack. Police have not indicated whether the suspect’s immigration status played any role in the incident, and no motive has been formally established.
