APPEAL

We are appealing for witnesses to a serious assault in Newcastle town centre.

We were called to Poundland on the High Street in Newcastle-under-Lyme at around 5:35pm yesterday (10 July) to a report of a woman with a single puncture wound to the head.

Using PAVA spray, officers detained a man in his 20s. He has since been taken to hospital where he remains under police guard.

The victim was taken to hospital and then discharged in the early hours of this morning.

There will be an increased number of neighbourhood officers in the town centre today to provide reassurance and to help gather evidence.

Chief Inspector Cliff Goodwin, commander for the Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Policing Team, said: “I would like to thank members of the public and store staff for their quick actions. Customers and staff cared for the victim whilst other staff members acted quickly to evacuate the store and secure the doors. Their brave actions ensured we could respond effectively and the victim received initial first aid before paramedics arrived.”

If you witnessed the incident or have information about what occurred, please contact us using LiveChat on our website quoting incident number 794 of 10 July.