**Investigation Underway After Man Injured in Suspected Substance Assault in Risca**
A man required hospital treatment after reportedly being targeted in an incident involving a mysterious substance in Risca, South Wales. The event, which unfolded on Friday evening, has prompted a police investigation as authorities seek to establish exactly what happened and who was responsible.
Emergency services were called to Holly Road, Risca, at approximately 7.30pm on Friday, 11 July. Gwent Police responded to reports that a 55-year-old man had been assaulted when an unidentified substance was thrown at him. Paramedics attended the scene, and the injured man was subsequently transported to the Grange University Hospital for medical attention.
After treatment, it was confirmed that the man’s injuries were not considered serious and he has since been discharged from care. The substance in question was swiftly tested, with police reassuring the local community that there is no remaining risk posed to members of the public. Nonetheless, the exact motive and circumstances behind the assault remain the focus of ongoing police inquiries.
In response to the incident, officers from Gwent Police have launched a thorough investigation. On Saturday, Temporary Chief Superintendent Jason White commented, “An investigation is underway and officers will be carrying out further house-to-house inquiries in the area today.” He further appealed to the public: “We are appealing for witnesses or anyone who has any information which could assist us and has not yet spoken to officers.”
Police are actively seeking any witnesses who may have seen the incident or have relevant information. They have asked anyone who can assist with inquiries to contact them by calling 101, using the Gwent Police website, or by sending a direct message via Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), quoting reference 2500220941.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board clarified that the patient was not taken to the hospital’s main emergency department. Instead, appropriate measures were implemented to prevent any cross-contamination, and he was treated in a dedicated decontamination unit to ensure public safety.
This attack, although rare for the area, has understandably caused some concern within the local community. Residents have expressed shock at the nature of the incident and have welcomed the swift response from emergency services.
Police presence was reportedly increased in the vicinity through the weekend as officers conducted door-to-door inquiries and sought to reassure residents. At this stage, every avenue of investigation remains open, including the possibility that the incident was targeted, though no further details have been released about potential suspects or the nature of the substance used.
Anyone living or working in the Holly Road area who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from the evening in question is also urged to come forward. Police emphasise that even seemingly minor details or observations could prove vital to their investigation.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community cooperation in helping tackle crime and support victims. As the inquiry continues, local authorities stress the need for calm and vigilance, assuring residents that all appropriate steps are being taken to ensure their safety and well-being. Updates will be provided as further information emerges.
Members of the public with concerns can also speak directly to local officers, who remain visible in the area as part of the continued reassurance effort.