Murder suspect manhunt after woman dies in Plymouth

A major police manhunt is under way after a woman died following a serious attack in a street in Plymouth.

Police were called to West Hoe Road at 20:55 GMT on Wednesday after a woman in her 40s was found with serious injuries.

The woman was taken to hospital but died in the early hours, police said. Her next of kin have been informed.

The victim and suspect were known to each other, police added, and officers were searching for a male suspect "whose identity is known".

A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were "deeply shocked and saddened" by what had happened.

"The life of another woman has been claimed at the hands of a man," they said.

"It hits home hard."

Det Ch Insp Dave Pebworth said: "I wish to make the public aware we are looking to locate a man in relation to this incident whose identity is known and inquiries are ongoing to find him.

"At this time, I would like to reassure the community and further afield in Plymouth that there is no suggestion that there is a wider risk to members of the public."

He said there would be a "heightened police presence and visibility in the coming days in the area" as inquiries continued.

"We will of course update the public once we have further information," he added.

"Cordons will likely remain in place for the rest of the day and police units will remain in the area."

Steve Foale, from Safer Plymouth, the community safety partnership at Plymouth City Council, said the team was "going door-to-door".

He said the aim was to let people know what was going on.

"Whilst there has been a major incident, Devon and Cornwall Police are saying that it is contained.

"There will be a significant police presence for 48 hours but this is not a terrorist incident.

"They are searching for a perpetrator now."

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said a cordon had been put in place from Cliff Road, up Osbourne Place and Lockyer Street, along Notte Street and then down Millbay Road and Citadel Road.

David Badham, general manager at Central Convenience, on Walker Terrace, said the shop was within the police cordon.

One of his shop workers said she heard "screams" and people asking for an ambulance to be called at the time of the incident on Wednesday evening.

Mr Badham said when he arrived to work on Thursday morning, officers asked him to keep the doors locked and told him that he was not allowed to go in and out of the shop.

BBC reporter Erin Black, who is at the scene, said: "The streets are relatively empty of people and closures are in place from West Hoe Road to the Port O Call.

"There are not very many people out and about using what is usually a really nice area.

"There were a few people outside Port O Call this morning watching the situation unfold, wondering what was going on.

"Everything seems to be open but on a very limited basis. There is no atmosphere here. It is like everything has been sucked out of the area.

"It is very grey."