A MAN was taken to hospital with “serious injuries” following an alleged stabbing in Berry Hill last Wednesday afternoon (August 9), with three people subsequently arrested.

Gloucestershire Police have appealed for information about the incident in the Forest village, five miles from Monmouth,which is thought to to have taken place near The Gamekeepers Inn in Hillcrest Road.

Hillcrest Road Lower Lane and closed and scene guards put in place after a man in his 20s was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol with serious injuries.

It is the second alleged stabbing in the Coleford area in a matter of weeks after 20-year-old Luke Walsey died from knife wounds following a disturbance in Oakfields, near Sunny Bank, in the town centre, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 14.

A 49-year-old man has been charged with murder, wounding and assualt over that incident, and two other men aged 20 and 22 with violent disorder.

Following the incident in Berry Hill, police said in a statement that the injuered man’s condition was “critical but stable”.

One person was arrested on Wednesday evening and two further arrests were made on Thursday, with the police investigation ongoing.

A woman in her 20s from the Forest of Dean was arrested on Thursday morning in connection with the incident, with a man in his 30s arrested that afternoon.

It followed the arrest of another man in his 30s on the Wednesday night.

A picture posted by a passer by on social media showed armed officers at the scene following the incident, while a police helicopter was seen circling in the Berry Hill, Coleford and Lydbrook areas into the evening.

Residents were escorted in and out of Hillcrest Road by police while the investigation continued.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said just before 9pm on Wednesday: “Scene guards are in place in Berry Hill near Coleford, Forest of Dean following a serious incident earlier today.

“Police were called by the ambulance service shortly before 4.20pm with a report of a stabbing.

“It is believed that the incident happened inside an address on Hillcrest Road.

“A man aged in his 20s has been taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol with serious injuries.

“A man in his 30s and from the Forest of Dean has been arrested in connection with the incident, and enquiries are ongoing to locate any other people who may have been involved.

“Road closures are in place on Lower Lane and Hillcrest Road while police remain at the scene.”

Anyone who saw what took place and has not yet spoken to police is asked to complete the following form online quoting incident 336 of 9 August: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report.

Alternatively you can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.”

A police spokesperson said on Thursday: “Two further arrests have been made by police investigating the stabbing of a man in Berry Hill near Coleford yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 9 August.

“Scene guards remain in place today as searches related to the investigation continue, including to locate any other people who may have been involved.”

Forest of Dean councillors for Berry Hill, Tim Gwilliam and Jamie Elsmore, posted a joint letter to the Berry Hill Life Facebook group, saying: “We understand that this incident has left many of you feeling shaken, unsettled, and perhaps even fearful. Please know that we are here for you, and we are committed to providing and arranging any support that we are able to call on.

“During times like these, it is crucial that we come together as a community and support one another...

“We understand that emotions may be running high, and it is natural to feel a range of emotions such as anger, sadness, or confusion.

“It is important to remember we are stronger when we stand together and support each other through difficult times...

“The Police and other relevant authorities are working hard to investigate the incident and clearly there will be disturbance while those investigations go on.

“We urge you to do as our community has always done, help the police in anyway you can, understand that they and others will have a job to do and know that by assisting them and following their guidance things will return to something near the norm.”